Is haiku bound by the rules of everyday grammar, or does it operate on its own terms? In this episode, we explore how haiku breaks away from the structures of normal sentence-based language. From notions of spontaneous grammars to the disruptive grammars of the "Cut" in haiku, we question why readers and editors often impose standard grammatical expectations on a poetic form that may not want them. Through examples and thought experiments, we ask: If a haiku isn’t a sentence, what is it—and what kind of grammar does it create? Contact the Haiku Theory Podcast by Emailing Us Here. This episode’s music was recorded by Graham at his old piano and is titled, “Waltz of Gold.”
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Episode 21: Haiku Expectations
Haiku expectations dictate what it is we think haiku should be doing. In this episode, we dive into the expectations surrounding haiku and how they shape our experience of the form. We explore the common belief that haiku should evoke profound moments of clarity or connection with nature, and why this expectation often leads to disappointment. From the historical influence of Western interpretations to the rise of prescriptive rules about the “haiku moment,” we examine how these expectations have shaped both the writing and reading of haiku. Join us as we unpack the assumptions that guide our approach to haiku and rethink what this poetic form is truly meant to do. Instone Poetry Forums, and excellent place to workshop your haiku, and discuss all things haiku, can be found by Clicking Here Contact the Haiku Theory Podcast by Emailing Us Here.
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Episode 20: Care Ethics and Haiku
In a world that often feels disconnected, haiku offers a unique way to nurture our capacity for care. In this episode we read Ce Rosenow and Maurice Hamington’s 'A Careful Poetics: Caring Imagination, Caring Habits, and Haiku,' which explores the intersection of care ethics and aesthetic theory, focusing on how haiku can enhance our capacity for care. We discuss how haiku, with its emphasis on embodied experience and mindful attention, cultivates a caring imagination, deepens understanding, and may even inspire compassionate actions. Tune in for a thoughtful look at the potential of poetry to foster care in both personal and societal contexts. A 'Careful Poetics: Caring Imagination, Caring Habits, and Haiku' can be read in its entirety by Clicking Here. Inkstone Poetry Forums can be found by Clicking Here. Contact the Haiku Theory Podcast by Emailing Us Here. This episode’s soundscape was recorded by Graham on a train to Pompy, Italy on June 28, 2024.
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Episode 19: Meaning and Experience
Meaning and Experience The interplay of meaning and experience in haiku both captivates and frustrates readers and writers alike. In this episode, we delve into Richard Gilbert’s concept of Collocation and Roland Barthes’ Narrative Codes, examining how these theories illuminate the structures of language—and what they reveal about the life and death of haiku. Click Here for a link to an incredible discussion and analysis of Peter Newton’s ‘beam by beam’ haiku. Click Here for a brief description of Roland Barthe’s five language codes. To contact the podcast Email Us Here. The audio of this episode was recorded by Graham at a publicly performed Christmas pageant.
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Episode 18: Jacques Lacan and Haiku
Within haiku is a tension between silence and expression that mirrors the complex relationship between desire and its unattainable fulfillment. In this episode, we delve into Ian Marshall’s essay, Jouissance among the Kire: A Lacanian Approach to Haiku, to explore Jacques Lacan’s concept of Jouissance and its connection to haiku’s emphasis on the ineffable, the unsaid, and the fragmented. Marshall’s essay, Jouissance among the Kire: A Lacanian Approach to Haiku, can be read in its entirety by Clicking Here. To contact the podcast, email us by Clicking Here. This episode’s soundscape was recorded by Graham, and features the sounds of an backstreet in Rome, Italy at 6:58pm on June 28, 2024.
"Haiku Theory" is a thought-provoking podcast delving deep into the theory of haiku, the centuries-old form of Japanese poetry renowned for its profundity.
Each episode investigates a specific aspect of haiku theory, summarizing key ideas found in the writings of the deepest thinkers on haiku throughout the centuries and across the globe.
Whether you're a seasoned haiku enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of haiku, "Haiku Theory" welcomes you to immerse yourself in the beauty and wisdom of this timeless art form.
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