Do you take time out to reflect on the beauty of life?
The art of haiku is a wonderful way to be present and express your feelings in the moment. It allows us to savour each fleeting experience, capturing the essence of now.
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick welcomes back Misako Yoke to explore the wabi-sabi of haiku.
A cordial invitation to readers
“Just like your book Ikigai-kan, you added kan, that subtle, just one letter changes the entire course of what the book is about. You probably specifically changed the title from Ikigai, which is something often lost in translation. I wanted to create that kind of precision into my haiku title.
Podcast Highlights
Publishing a second book. Misako shares her journey of publishing her second book.
The reason behind the book title. Misako shares why she chose ‘Quiet Wonder’ as the title of her book.
Understanding haiku. Misako explains the essence of haiku.
Haiku is open to different interpretations. Nick and Misako talk about how haikus are open to personal interpretation.
The 5-7-5 structure of haiku. The two discuss how the structure of haiku came about.
Incorporating kigo. Misako explains what a kigo (season word) is and how it is incorporated into haikus.
Understanding the concept of wabi-sabi. Nick and Misako explore the concept of wabi-sabi.
Two metaphors of wabi-sabi. Misako talks about the two metaphors of wabi-sabi mentioned in her book.
Misako’s haiku poems. Misako shares some of her haiku poems.
Misako Yoke
Misako Yoke is an award-winning speaker, certified Life Story Coach, and Genki Method creator. She's committed to helping people navigate life's challenges and reminding them of their true strengths. Misako was a guest on episode 15 of the podcast, where she talked about Genki habits and her book, Take Heart! You’re Stronger Than You Think.
Publishing a second book
Misako published her second book, Quiet Wonder: Haiku and Poetic Reflections on the Pacific Northwest’s Natural Splendor. Initially, the idea of writing a haiku book seemed unrealistic to her, as she believed that haiku creation was limited to highly trained and skilled individuals.
However, switching her primary language to English encouraged Misako to experiment and learn more about haiku. Understanding its origins changed her approach to writing haiku. She now sees it as a way to inspire people’s imagination and challenge their creativity, as haiku requires precision and careful word selection.
The reason behind the book title
The title 'Quiet Wonder' encapsulates what readers can anticipate from Misako's book. The term 'quiet' prompts readers to pause and immerse themselves in the present moment, fostering a sense of 'wonder' as they appreciate the beauty surrounding them.
Understanding haiku
Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form that has evolved over time. Originating in the 8th century as part of a collaborative poetry style called Tanka (5-7-5-7-7 syllables), it became known as Haiku during the Edo period. Traditionally, Haikus are three-line poems with a 5-7-5 syllable structure, often reflecting nature, seasons, and emotions, and creating vivid imagery.
Modern Haiku remains popular globally. Traditionally, Haiku includes a seasonal word (kigo) to indicate a time of year, but Western versions sometimes skip this due to different cultural contexts. Despite these differences, Haiku remains a concise and evocative form of poetry.
Haiku is open to different interpretations
One good example of haiku is Matsuo Bashō’s ‘The Old Pond,’ which is considered to be the most important and famous haiku in all of Japanese history.
Furu ike ya
kawazu tobikomu
mizu no oto
translation:
an old pond;
a frog jumps in
no sound at all/Plop!
People often have different interpretations and feelings when they read haikus. For instance, Misako associates ‘The Old Pond’ with the cheerfulness of summer. Growing up in the suburbs, she recalls an old pond surrounded by overgrown shrubs and rocks, reflecting the blue summer sky. This imagery evokes her childhood memories of exploring a mushroom farm and discovering an old pond.
The 5-7-5 structure of haiku
Misako initially thought that the 5-7-5 syllable structure of haiku was a restrictive rule that limited expression. However, after creating haiku herself, she realised that this structure provided a backbone, allowing for greater creative freedom. It offers a grounding framework that helps writers avoid feeling lost.
Incorporating kigo
In Japan, kigo, or season words, are deeply embedded in everyday life and used in various contexts, such as business letters and greetings. For someone who grew up in Japan, incorporating kigo into haiku feels natural for Misako, as they celebrate and give importance to each season as part of their culture.
Understanding the concept of wabi-sabi
For Misako, similar to ikigai, wabi-sabi is not something you chase or achieve, but something you feel and cherish. Instead of seeking perfection and conventional beauty, wabi-sabi allows you to see beyond imperfections and find beauty in the realness of things. In today's digital era, where we seek immediate answers to everything, wabi-sabi encourages a slower, more mindful approach to experiencing life.Two metaphors of wabi-sabi
“The art of haiku, with its delicate craft, mirrors the principles of wabi-sabi. It captures fleeting moments, often intertwined with nature, and prompts us to embrace a deeper appreciation of beauty beyond the immediately visible.” - Misako Yoke
In her book, Misako used sakura and fallen dried leaves as metaphors for wabi-sabi. The sakura cherry blossom holds deep significance in Japanese culture, it is cherished by everyone for its fleeting beauty. After the peak season, when the petals carpet the ground in pink, it evokes a sense of reflection on the transient nature of life. This cycle, from birth to the brilliance of bloom to graceful departure without regret, mirrors our existence.
A brown leaf amid colourful autumn leaves symbolises wabi-sabi's essence: finding beauty in imperfection and transience. It represents a life well-lived, having expended all its energy in spring to grow, bear seeds, and nurture families. As everything else transitions to yellow and red, the leaf completes its journey. This contemplation of wabi-sabi helps us see ourselves differently, taking time to think and understand. It's like a special way of viewing life that allows us to appreciate our own experiences and personality. This idea emphasises the importance of creating mental space to truly be oneself.
These ideas are conveyed in the death poem of Hajin, by haiku poet, Ryokan:
ura wo mise omote wo misete chiru momiji
裏を見せ
表を見せて
散る紅葉
it shows its back
then, its front
falling autumn leaf
—Ryōkan
Misako’s haiku poems
Here are some of Misako’s haiku poems, which serve as invitations for people to explore their own imaginations:
“Together, within this collection, we celebrate the haiku not just as a literary form but as a living conversation between past and present, poet and reader, tradition and innovation. May these haiku serve as stepping stones for your imagination, and may your journey through them be as revealing and profound as the centuries-old path they continue to illuminate.” - Misako Yoke
A Speck of Hopeful Blue
In the deep, still woods
A piece of robin's eggshell —
Skyward, new life soars
Harmony at Horizon
Mountain layers fade
Bluer with each distant peak
Sky and Earth unite
Sighs Through Needles
Sunset rides on clouds
Conifers stand sentry, firm
Breeze sighs through the boughs
Conclusion
Haiku is a beautiful medium to capture the imperfect beauty of life. We experience different seasons, each a blend of difficult and happy moments. These fleeting experiences make up our existence. Haiku allows us to relive and cherish each precious moment. It helps us appreciate the transience of life, embracing the understanding that everything is temporary.