How to Haiku with Maeve O’Sullivan

Course Content

Haiku is the shortest and one of the oldest poetry forms in the world, having originated in Japan in the 17th Century. It is traditionally a nature poem but can also be used to describe human situations. In this introductory workshop, you will get a short history of the form, with examples from classical and contemporary haijin, and learn some key techniques for writing and editing traditional nature haiku and senryu (human-nature haiku). You will also learn about ginko (composition strolls) on which you will be encouraged to find inspiration in the sights, sounds and smells of the season.

Notes: Only haiku and senryu written during the workshop will be discussed
All workshop notes and resources will be emailed out to participants afterwards.

Course Outline

Week One

• Introduction to the traditional three-line nature haiku and its history, with examples across five centuries
•  Explanation of kigo (season words), with examples
• Tips for writing haiku: ‘dos and don’ts’
• Advice on the best way to prepare for a ginko (nature haiku composition stroll), on which participants will – hopefully – write at least one haiku for Week 2.

Week Two

•  Tips for editing haiku, with example
• Conducting of a kukai-style workshop of some of the haiku from the workshop participants’ first ginko.
• Suggestions for haiku journals suitable for reading and submitting to.
• Other haiku resources including essays and videos.

Week Three

• Introduction to senryu (human-nature haiku) & its history, with examples
• Differences between haiku and senryu; also an introduction to ‘hybrid haiku’
• Tips for writing senryu: ‘dos and don’ts’
• Advice on the best way to prepare for a second ginko (senryu composition stroll), on which participants will – hopefully – write at least one haiku for Week 4.

Week Four

• Tips for editing senryu, with examples
•  Conducting of a kukai-style workshop of some of the senryu from the workshop participants’ second ginko.
• Also suggestions for senryu journals for reading and submissions.
• Other senryu resources including essays and videos.

Course Outcomes

Participants should come away from this course with:
a) a strong knowledge about, and understanding of, haiku & senryu, their history (in Japanese and in English), and how they differ from other types of poetry.
b) Confidence in their ability to read haiku & senryu in a meaningful way, to write and edit their own verses to a good standard, and to have an idea where to submit them.

Maeve O’Sullivan’s poetry and haikai (haiku and related forms) have been widely published, anthologised, awarded and translated. She is the author of five collections from Alba Publishing, with a sixth, Where All Ladders Start, forthcoming in November 2024. Maeve is a professional member of the IWC and a long-term member of the British Haiku Society. Maeve has delivered haikai workshops for Poetry Ireland, Dublin City Libraries and various literary festivals as well as the IWC. www.maeveosullivan.com

Booked out? To be added to the waiting list for this course, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.