[Elderly] Haiku with the theme of August: Introducing famous verses

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

Do you compose haiku? Many older adults might enjoy them.

Since the sun is strong and we often spend time indoors in August, why not try engaging with haiku? In haiku, it’s standard to use a seasonal word called a “kigo” that indicates a specific season and to compose in the 5-7-5 pattern of 17 syllables.

For August, well-known kigo include morning glory, watermelon, the Milky Way, and cicadas.

In the haiku world, the period from around August 8 to around November 6 is considered “the three autumn months” and classified as autumn.

Therefore, August kigo range from ones with a strong summer feel to those that evoke autumn.

How about discussing what kinds of kigo there are and composing haiku on a theme you like?

[Elderly] Haiku on the theme of August: Introducing famous verses (11–20)

Eighth month of the lunar calendar—looking up at a rainbow, guardian of the late riceDakotsu Iida

Takotsu Iida grew up in an environment where he was exposed to many literary works and haiku from childhood.

This is said to have formed the foundation of the haiku he would later compose.

His haiku, many of which follow the traditional practice of depicting nature, were highly acclaimed as carrying on the style dating back to Matsuo Bashō.

Except for his student years, he spent his entire life in his birthplace of Yamanashi.

As a result, he often wrote poems that depict the rich natural scenery of satoyama and fields.

From the poem “In the lunar August, gazing up at a rainbow, guardian of the late rice,” we can sense the scene of autumn when the rice is ripening, with someone keeping watch to protect the paddies from birds and beasts, as well as the presence and demeanor of the watcher.

Raise the rankinglower

Nakajima Junko

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In conclusion

Among the seasonal words that represent August, there are many that evoke traditional events, insects, and plants.

If you’re new to haiku, why not try composing some this summer while incorporating seasonal words? It may seem easy to fit your poem into the 5-7-5 pattern, but it’s actually quite challenging.

Since it really exercises your brain, it’s also great mental training.

Sharing and presenting the haiku you come up with is sure to be lively and fun!