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Semi-random observation on haiku
Feb. 27th, 2008 01:33 pmTaking a meme that has been circulating on LJ and heading in my own direction, here's something I stumbled upon when googling a phrase contained therein. Oddly enough it seems to illuminate why haiku is so popular amongst science fiction fans:
Haiku poetry has essentially been a type of what I call “tohi-bungaku” in Japan*. While not going so far as emigrating into Utopia or fairy land, haiku poets have cultivated a special world, slightly detached from the stark realities of life.
This special world has been one of light-hearted taste or hobby, flight into appreciation of nature through familiar flora and fauna, with humorous twists about the harshness of human existence, mature resignation and an almost comical response to the wonders around us. It is an adult’s world, not for children nor impertinent and self-conceited youth, or old men for that matter, if they are not matured in wisdom or [are] spiritually “kareta=withered”.
*“tohi-bungaku” could be translated as escapist literature, but not used in a pejorative sense. “shin-bungaku” is real literature, and here the word “real” is used in association with realism.
Haiku poetry has essentially been a type of what I call “tohi-bungaku” in Japan*. While not going so far as emigrating into Utopia or fairy land, haiku poets have cultivated a special world, slightly detached from the stark realities of life.
This special world has been one of light-hearted taste or hobby, flight into appreciation of nature through familiar flora and fauna, with humorous twists about the harshness of human existence, mature resignation and an almost comical response to the wonders around us. It is an adult’s world, not for children nor impertinent and self-conceited youth, or old men for that matter, if they are not matured in wisdom or [are] spiritually “kareta=withered”.
*“tohi-bungaku” could be translated as escapist literature, but not used in a pejorative sense. “shin-bungaku” is real literature, and here the word “real” is used in association with realism.
