The Usage of Season Words

   Have you read any haiku that sounds artificial because of the unnecessary use of a season word? Or have you pinpoint a seasonal word or phrase that only applies to Japanese culture?
     Read Michael Dylan Welch's essay, Up With Season Words, and you'll be able to understand how Japan kigo are relevant in English-language haiku. You'll also discover how you can adapt the concept and principles of seasons words in English.
     According to him, season words do often improve the haiku, but aren't necessary. The three poems, which he illustrates in his essay, show his approach to season words. 
     When you decide to use season words to add depth to your haiku, always remember to carefully use them as "an anchor or 'setting' in time- like a gold ring that cradles a diamond." Read another of his essay here and you'll learn more about how to use seasonal reference effectively and avoid the common mistake of creating "weather report" haiku.   

The Basics of Haiku

     Not all of my friends who check my blog know how to write a haiku. Some don’t even know what haiku means. So to acquaint them or readers who happen to drop by and want to learn more, I’ve made a list of links. This is also a very helpful guide for haiku poets who want to improve their skills.


1) Definition of haiku

    http://sites.google.com/site/graceguts/essays/a-definition-of-haiku
    http://www.withwords.co.uk/what.html

2) Brief history of haiku

    http://www.withwords.org.uk/history.html

3) Guidelines on writing haiku

    Bare Bones School of Haiku by Jane Reichhold
   http://www.ahapoetry.com/Bare%20Bones/bbtoc%20intro.html

    Becoming a Poet by Michael Dylan Welch Haiku
   http://sites.google.com/site/graceguts/essays/becoming-a-haiku-poet

    Haiku . . . Under the Bedsheets: Juxtaposition and Seasonal Reference by Michael Dylan Welch

   http://sites.google.com/site/graceguts/essays/haiku-under-the-bedsheets

4) Haiku Techniques

    Haiku Techniques by Jane Reichhold

    http://www.ahapoetry.com/AHI%20tech%20art.html

    How to Ginko by Tad Wojnicki

    http://www.haikupix.com/news

     These links have helped me a lot and I still review them from time to time. I hope by collecting these links, one will be interested in writing haiku. If not, it will be great if a haiku beginner will be able to learn more from this list.

     If any of the links has proven useful to you, please let me know. :-)