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Haiku
Haiku is the picture painted with words. This is a particular form of poetry that developed in Japan. Haiku is usually contemplative, mystical and profound. Traditionally it consisted of three lines and seventeen syllables.
As author-inventor of the Haiku form is considered Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), who was both a samurai, and a judge in poetry contests.
Initially, the shortened form of writing he used to make quick notes (i.e., Matsuo Basho), but over time he discovered that this is a very valuable and independent literary form. Basho, starting from the long and humorous Haikai form came to realization that haiku has to express the momentary impression, emotion and contemplation of nature.
Haiku is often used by Zen masters, as a conducive form to illustrate the uniqueness of each moment.
Matsuo Basho himself was deeply moved by spiritual experience in the practice of Zen. Its style expresses a deep fascination with the beauty of meditation and the world. Basho as he said himself about the form, Haiku unspool sensitivity in terms of return to the child, which in astonishment discovers and admires all amazing things about the Word for the first time.
The form of Haiku is the maximum brevity and philosophical insight into the both large and deep sense of contemplation and the charm of life.
Due to its characteristics (such as brevity of form and deep insight) Haiku found out the many supporters in the culture of the West.
A good Haiku is like a pebble thrown into the lake of the listener's mind: recalls his association with the depth of imagination and sensitivity of his work, rather than cause merely passive admiration for the poet's skills.
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