Press release

jAPANESE embassy organized haiku mushaira
at the Rawalpindi arts council

Islamabad: 16th May 2012

The Embassy of Japan organized a recital of Haiku poetry ‘Haiku Mushaira- A Tribute to Yosa Buson’ at the Rawalpindi Arts Council, on 16th May 2012, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan.

The Embassy of Japan organized this event in cooperation with the Rawalpindi Arts Council and Pakistan Haiku Society. Mr. Iftikhar Arif, a renowned poet and former Chairman, Pakistan Academy of Letters, was the presiding poet and chief guest of the event.

Haiku legend, Yosa Buson, was remembered in a befitting manner by the 13 renowned Pakistani Haiku poets as they recited their beautifully embellished Haikus.  Yosa Buson (1716-­1783), Matsuo Basho (1644-­1694) and Kobayashi Issa are among the most popular haiku masters. They are collectively known as the Three Pillars of Haiku, who lived during Japan's Edo-period (1600-1868).  

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that dates back to the 17th century. Haiku is the most precise, compact and condensed poetry originating in Japan. Haiku is defined as an unrhymed verse, written in 5-7-5 syllabic form, usually in three lines. Its subjects are predominantly nature and life experiences. Haiku, one of the most important forms of traditional Japanese poetry, still remains popular in modern Japan, and in recent years its popularity has also spread to many countries including Pakistan. Many poets in Pakistan today practice this compact yet profound and evocative form of expression that leaves a lot of room for interpretation and subtlety. (End)