haiku 俳句

Japan’s literary fast food. Popularized by a poet who abandoned his family to wander around staring at frogs, perfected by hermits who’d rather count syllables than talk to people.

The formula is deceptively simple: 5-7-5. First line five syllables, middle line seven, final line five again. Add a seasonal reference, insert observations about nature, and voilà: achieve instant literary credibility.

Tourist version:

Most “haiku”

Written by foreigners

Don’t follow the rules at all

The real deal:

Cherry sake drunk

Tourist pukes on sacred shrine

Monks charge cleaning fee