Writing and Enjoying Haiku: A Hands-on Guide (Paperback)

by Jane Reichhold (Author) "Before you can learn to write haiku, you need to be able to read haiku..." (more)
Key Phrases: Library of Congress

Editorial Reviews

Review
"... great depth within its apparent simplicity.... Recommended for junior and senior high school students, advanced students, and adults." -- Jeffrey Cooper, KLIATT

Product Description
"Writing and Enjoying Haiku" shows how haiku can bring a centered, calming atmosphere into one's life, by focusing on the outer realities of life instead of the naggings of the inner mind, by gaining a new appreciation for the world of nature, and by preserving moments, days, and events so that they are not lost forever in the passage of time. Haiku are clearly shown to be a means of discovering and recording the miracles of the world, from the humorous to the tragic. This is one of the major themes underlying Writing and Enjoying Haiku -- that haiku can provide a way to a better life.

After looking at why the reading and writing of haiku is important from a spiritual point of view, the book shows, as has never been done before, the techniques of writing haiku -- the when and the where, punctuation and capitalization, choice of words, figures of speech, sharing haiku, and much, much more.

Having come this far, having learned to read and write haiku with a discerning mind, the reader will never again look upon the world in quite the same way.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (December 13, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770028865
• ISBN-13: 978-4770028860
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > United States > Asian American
  #5 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Asian
  #7 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Poetry > Japanese & Haiku

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good First Half but then Wanders Off, October 15, 2006

By	J. A Carty "jkcarty" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am giving this a 4 star review mainly because of the first section of the book. The author gives some great insight in how to read and interpret japanese and more modern forms of haiku. I wish there had been more examples of haiku's outside of the author's own selections but she does show some definite poetic talent.

As the book progresses into renga, tanka and other forms of japanese poetry I found the descriptions lacking. The later chapters seemed rushed and an after thought to fill space.

This is a great resource and worth the buy just for the few exercises in the book. I wouldn't list this as my favorite source but a good resource none-the-less.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy the Form, Revel in This Book......, July 28, 2003

By	Julie Jordan Scott "Writer, Life Coach - Owne... (Bakersfield, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is one of those rare books I did not want to end. I wanted to savor each word as I highlighted, wrote in and slowly weaved my way through it.

The author, Jane Reichhold, manages to write from a place of expert while staying exceptionally accessible. This book could be embraced by those new to haiku as well as those who have been exploring haiku for a lifetime.

Reichhold balances the rules with license for freedom, "sternness" with light humor and is graceful the entire way through.

What a delight. I will have to buy several copies to give to anyone remotely interested in poetry..... actually, in living a fulfilling life for that matter!

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Break Writer's Block, April 5, 2003

By	Gary L Warner Jr (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews

I'm not sure if I will ever finish this book! Divided into four sections --"Four Things to Do Before Writing Haiku", "The Guide to Haiku Writing","Enjoying Haiku with Others", and "Using Your Haiku Skills in Related Poetry Forms" -- the book can be read straight through, but proves itself far more valuable as a homework assignment. I'm currently experimenting in a chapter called "Twenty-Four Valuable Techniques". What a great way to break Writer's Block -- try to approach the subject with various techniques until you find the right one for the haiku at hand. I hope each of you is able to enjoy this book as much as I am!...