Haiku Poems

​A haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of short, unrhymed lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. In total, it has 17 syllables.
Haikus or haiku are typically written on the subject of nature.

On the next slides, let's answer questions and learn more about haiku.

Multiple Choice

Is this a haiku?

haru kaze no 
hana wo chirasu to 
miru yume wa 

English translation:

the spring wind
scattering blossoms
I saw it in a dream

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Is this a haiku?

haru kaze ni / fukidashi warau / hana mogana

English translation:

A Spring breeze is blowing
I’m bursting with laughter
— wishing for flowers

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Which one isn't a haiku?

(note: they are all English translations, guess which one doesn't sound like a haiku)

• Coming to see cherry bloom

  He had his money stolen—

  The country bumpkin.

• Ours is a world of suffering,

  Even if cherry-flowers bloom.

• “If I were asked to explain the Japanese spirit, I would say it is wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun!”

​Watch a short video and choose the best option to complete the sentences.

1. What do the Japanese words hanami and sakura mean in English?
2. What is the earliest and latest that people can generally see the flowers in Japan?
3. How is global warming affecting the custom?
4. What happens at cherry blossom festivals?
5. What is the main message of the season?

Multiple Choice

What do the Japanese words hanami and sakura mean in English?

• Hanami means flower watching and sakura are the pink, red and white blossoms on the cherry tree.

• Hanami means flower watching and sakura are the summer kimono women wear during spring.

• Hanami means the sweets people eat during spring picnics and sakura are the pink, red and white blossoms on the cherry tree.

Multiple Choice

What is the earliest and latest that people can generally see the flowers in Japan?

• The earliest is March and the latest is May. The best seasons are March-June.

• The earliest is January (in the south of the country) and the latest is May (in the north). The main viewing season is March-April

• The earliest is December and the latest is June. The best seasons are when they are in bloom in the Eastern Japan during June.

Multiple Choice

How is global warming affecting the custom?

• The trees are producing flowers 2 weeks earlier compared to fifty years ago

• Global warming is affecting customs by altering the time people can come out and enjoy.

• Global warming has no impact on customs
• Global warming is enhancing customs by promoting people to go out and have picnics

Multiple Choice

What happens at cherry blossom festivals?

• Watching professional wrestling matches and Learning how to knit sweaters

• There is music, food and drinks. The trees are lit up in the evenings and people take lots of photos.

• Participating in a hot tea drinking and sweet plum eating contest

Multiple Choice

What is the main message of the season?

• Joy comes from laughter and after that, is followed by tears.

• Nothing lasts forever, so enjoy the good things in life while you can.

• The main message of the season is unity and friendship.

​1. Besides flowers and blossom, what other signs of spring do people notice and enjoy?
2. Is there any seasonal event in your country where lots of people get interested in the same thing?
3. Why do you think people like to have so many photos of events like sakura?
4. Do you agree with the main message of hanami?

​Prepare and deliver a one-minute presentation about an important/popular seasonal event in your own town or country. You should say what the event is, when it takes place, how people celebrate it and what it means to them.

​Write a haiku. Choose your own seasonal topic.