Landscapes and Minimalism: The Relation Between Photography and Japanese Haiku
Updated: Dec 1
In the realm of visual poetry, black and white landscape photography stands as a testament to the power of simplicity and contemplation. Much like the Japanese haiku, it is an art form that embraces minimalism, inviting the viewer to pause, to reflect, and to absorb the essence of a scene.
Snow whispers its tale
Roof stands guard in the stillness
Winter's calm retreat.
I like to consider that the relationship between monochrome photography and haiku is a profound one. I see both of them as rooted in a history of contemplative arts, a structural elegance, and an exploration of impermanence. In both art forms, the artist is challenged to create a sense of completeness within a strict framework.
In my own work, I strive to capture the essence of a landscape in a single frame, to distill the spirit of a place into a moment of light and shadow. Somehow, I am guided by the principles of haiku, by the power of simplicity, the beauty of impermanence, and the profound impact of contemplation.
For many years, I have sometimes accompanied my most representative photographs with a few personal haiku. They reflect my understanding of the connection between poetry and images. Usually, these haiku were composed at the moment of shooting, in conditions most favorable to creativity, often in Japan and China.
You will find some of them included as examples in this article along with my Fine Art Prints. One day, they might become part of a portfolio on my website or a book, if time allows. But first things first, let's talk about what an haiku is made of and where it originates.
Weeping willow's tears
Mingle with the still water
Echoes of the fall.
What is an Haiku
An haiku is a form of traditional Japanese poetry. It has its roots in the 17th century, with masters like Matsuo Basho elevating it to an art that captures the fleeting nature of life and the beauty of the natural world.
The structure of an haiku is deceptively simple: they are made of 3 lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. This brevity demands a keen eye for detail and an ability to distill the essence of a moment into a few carefully chosen words. In haiku, the poet must convey a profound thought or emotion within the confines of seventeen syllables. He also must refer to a season or a specific period of the year through seasonal words, or Kigo (I'll talk about it later).
Consequently, I believe that black and white photography, like haiku, has the power to transcend language, to bridge cultural divides, and to connect us with the natural world by capturing light and shadow.
Origins and Early Development
The history of haiku is a testament to the enduring appeal of simplicity and the power of capturing a moment in time. From its roots in ancient Japanese poetry to its modern global influence, haiku has evolved and adapted, reflecting the changing cultural and literary landscapes.
The contributions of poets like Basho, Buson, Issa, Shiki, and many others have shaped haiku into a versatile and profound art form that continues to inspire and captivate readers and writers alike.
There also was a significant relationship between haiku, the artists, and the Imperial court in Japan. It was particularly true during the early stages of Japanese poetry and throughout various historical periods. This relationship evolved over time, reflecting the changing dynamics of literary patronage, cultural influence, and the role of poetry in society.
Silent poles stand tall
Spring tides whisper through the nets
Ariake's calm.
7th to 12th Centuries: Nara and Heian Periods (710-1185)
Waka:
The origins of haiku can be traced back to the ancient Japanese poetic form known as waka, which emerged during the Nara period (710-794). Waka encompassed various forms, including tanka.
Tanka:
Tanka was a form of poetry made of 5 lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5-7-7. It is a standalone poem, typically expressing a single emotion, scene, or idea. The first 3 lines (5-7-5) were known as the "Hokku", which later evolved into the "Haiku".
Tanka often explores themes of love, nature, and the changing seasons. It is known for its elegance, refinement, and emotional depth. Tanka was often used in courtly exchanges and poetry contests called "Uta-awase", where poets would compete to create the most elegant and refined verses.
During the Nara and Heian periods, waka and tanka poetry were highly esteemed by the Imperial court. Poetry was an essential part of courtly life, and skilled poets were often members of the aristocracy or closely associated with the court.
Later, the Imperial court sponsored the compilation of poetry anthologies, such as the "Man'yōshū" (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves) and the "Kokin Wakashū" (Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry). These anthologies included works by court poets and were often commissioned by emperors or high-ranking nobles.
You can find many of these artworks in this reference book that I highly recommend if you are curious about haiku:
The Golden Age of Haiku
14th to16th Century: Muromachi Period
Renga:
During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), a new form of poetry called "Renga" (linked verse) became popular among the aristocracy and the warrior class. It reached its peak during the Edo period (1603-1868).
Renga involved collaborative poetry, where multiple poets would contribute verses to a single poem. It typically begins with a 5-7-5 syllable verse (hokku), followed by a 7-7 syllable verse (called "waki"), and continues with alternating 5-7-5 and 7-7 syllable verses.
A renga explores a wide range of themes, from nature and the seasons to more humorous or mundane topics. The linked verses often create a narrative or thematic progression. It was considered as a form of entertainment and artistic expression that encouraged spontaneity and creativity.
Although renga was more collaborative and less formal than waka, it still enjoyed patronage from the Imperial court and the shogunate. Poets like Sōgi (1421-1502) were celebrated for their mastery of renga and were often invited to perform at court functions.
Silent winter field
A tree bows to falling snow
Grace in solitude.
17th Century: The Edo Period
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694):
Basho is widely recognized as the greatest haiku poet and the one who elevated haiku to an art form. He transformed the hokku from a mere opening verse into a standalone poetic form, emphasizing simplicity, naturalness, and the essence of the moment.
Although Basho himself was not directly associated with the Imperial court, his work had a profound impact on Japanese literature and culture. His haiku elevated the form to an art that could stand alone, independent of the collaborative renga. While the Imperial court's influence waned during this time, the shogunate and the rising merchant class became important patrons of the arts, including haiku.
Oku no Hosomichi (1689), the Travel Diary of Matsuo Basho:
Oku no Hosomichi (奥の細道), often translated as "Narrow Road to the Deep North" or "Narrow Road to the Interior," is a renowned travel diary written by Matsuo Basho. Published posthumously in 1702, it chronicles Basho's journey through the northern regions of Japan, combining prose and haiku poetry to create a rich and evocative narrative.
The book describes Basho's journey, which began in the spring of 1689 and lasted for about 5 months. He traveled through various landscapes, visiting famous sites, temples, and natural wonders. The work explores themes of nature, impermanence, solitude, and the search for spiritual enlightenment. Basho's journey is not just physical but also spiritual, as he seeks to deepen his understanding of the world and himself.
The book has become a classic of Japanese literature and is widely studied and appreciated for its insights into the natural world, the human condition, and the art of haiku.
Spring moon softly glows
Castle turret stands in time
Silent night unfolds.
Refinement and Popularization of Haiku
18th Century: Continued Development
Yosa Buson (1716-1784):
Buson was a renowned poet and painter who further refined the haiku form. His haiku often incorporated visual elements, reflecting his artistic sensibilities.
Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828):
Issa's haiku are known for their simplicity and emotional depth. He often wrote about the everyday lives of common people and the natural world, infusing his poetry with a sense of humor and pathos.
Modern Era
19th to 20th Centuries: Meiji Restoration and Beyond
The Meiji Restoration marked a period of rapid modernization and Westernization in Japan. The Imperial court regained political power, and there was a renewed interest in traditional Japanese arts, including haiku.
Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902):
Shiki is credited with coining the term "haiku" and played a crucial role in modernizing the form. Influenced by Western literary trends and the changing cultural landscape of Japan, he advocated for a more realistic and objective style, moving away from the traditional emphasis on nature and seasonal themes.
Takahama Kyoshi (1874-1959):
Kyoshi was a disciple of Shiki and continued to promote the modern haiku movement. His work often explored urban themes and the changing landscape of Japan.
Although the Imperial court's direct patronage of haiku poets was less prominent in the modern era, the court continued to support traditional arts and literature. The Imperial Household Agency, for example, has sponsored poetry contests and cultural events that include haiku.
Nested cubes align
Guardians of the quiet sea
Autumn whispers peace.
International Influence
20th Century to Present: Global Spread
Today, haiku is a global art form practiced by poets around the world. Modern haiku often explores a wide range of themes, from nature and seasons to urban life and social issues For example, here are 2 major artists who have made significant contributions to spreading this art in the Western world.
Ezra Pound (1885-1972):
Pound, an American poet, was instrumental in introducing haiku to the Western world. His translations and adaptations of Japanese poetry influenced the Imagist movement.
Jack Kerouac (1922-1969):
Kerouac, a key figure in the Beat Generation, wrote haiku that reflected his spontaneous and free-spirited approach to literature.
What is the Beat Generation?
The Beat Generation was a literary and cultural movement that emerged in the United States during the post-World War II era, primarily in the 1950s and early 1960s. The term "Beat" was coined by writer Jack Kerouac and is often associated with the ideas of spiritual exploration, non-conformity, experimentation, and a rejection of mainstream societal values.
Snow blankets the ground
Pruned trees stand in solemn line
Whispers of the cold.
Haiku and Photography
Black and white photography strips away the distraction of color, reducing the image to its fundamental elements of light, shadow, and form. In minimalist monochrome imagery, the photographer must compose an image that captures the spirit of a landscape using only shades of gray to depict the simplicity that convey its emotions. I like to consider that this structural elegance is not a limitation but a liberation, forcing the photographer to focus on the essential and discard the superfluous.
The Art of Contemplation
Contemplation of landscapes is a central theme in both haiku and black and white (landscape) photography. Haiku poets draw inspiration from the natural world, using the changing seasons and the cycles of life as metaphors for deeper philosophical concepts.
For example, Basho's famous haiku about an old pond and a frog jumping into the water (below) is not just about the scene it describes, but also about the ripples of life and the tranquility of nature:
古池や (An old silent pond)
蛙飛び込む (A frog jumps into the pond)
水の音 (Splash! Silence again.)
Similarly, black and white landscape photographers like Ansel Adams have used their cameras to capture not just the physical landscape, but also the emotional and spiritual resonance of the natural world.
Island in twilight
Pines reach for the fading light
Winter's hushed embrace.
The Concept of Ginko
The act of contemplation is integral to both art forms. Haiku poets often engage in "Ginko" (吟行), a meditative walk through nature to gather inspiration. This practice allows the poet to immerse themselves in the natural world, to observe the subtle details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
To know more about the concept of ginko and how it can improve our inspiration in photography, read my dedicated article here.
Monochrome minimalist photography engages in a similar process, often spending hours or even days in a single location, waiting for the perfect convergence of light and shadow. This contemplative approach allows the artist to form a deeper connection with the landscape, to understand its essence, and to capture that essence in their work.
The Impermanence and the Imperfect
The Concepts of Mujo, Kigo and Wabi-Sabi
Impermanence, or "Mujo" in Japanese, is another shared theme between haiku and black and white photography. Haiku often explores the transient nature of life, the constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This is reflected in the use of "Kigo", or season words, which ground the poem in a specific time of year and emphasize the passage of time.
In black and white photography, impermanence is captured in the play of light and shadow, the changing weather, long exposures, and the transformation of the landscape over time. A concept I have also particularly explored for many years as part of my research on Shingon Buddhist statuary in Japan. It's a value that truly comes to life when capturing centuries of history in a single image. Which brings me to the next point: the wabi-sabi.
Winter's breath whispers
Over still, dark water's edge
Branch and rock converse.
The Japanese concept of "Wabi-sabi" (that I have already discussed extensively in my articles here), which celebrates the imperfect, the impermanent, and the incomplete, is also reflected in both art forms. In haiku, this might manifest as a poem that captures a fleeting moment, a glimpse of beauty that is all the more poignant because it is ephemeral.
In black and white photography, wabi-sabi might be seen in the texture of an old tree, the erosion of rocks washed by the tide, or the decay of a leaf. These imperfections are not flaws to be hidden, but features to be celebrated, reminders of the passage of time and the constant state of flux in the natural world.
If you want to know more about the concept of wabi-sabi and its potential influence in photography, you can read my dedicated article here.
Here is a must-have book for any photographer wishing to draw inspiration from this philosophy for their projects and compositions. A different perspective on nature through a concept that is both poetic and traditional:
A Dialogue Between Haiku and Photography
The relationship between black and white photography and haiku is also reflected in the viewer's or reader's experience. Both art forms invite active engagement, encouraging the audience to fill in the gaps, to interpret the symbols, and to draw their own conclusions. This interactive nature creates a deeper, more personal connection between the artist, the art, and the audience.
In my humble experience for 30 years, from film to digital, the relationship between these art forms has constantly evolved. As a landscape photographer, I have seen firsthand how black and white photographs can evoke the same sense of contemplation and reflection as a haiku.
The scroll of a feed, the pause at an image, the moment of reflection before and while shooting are my understanding of the modern ginko concept: a photographic journey equivalent of the meditative walk of Japanese poets through nature.
Frozen beach at dusk
Boat dreams of the open waves
Winter's stillness reigns.
The Final Word
In conclusion, the relationship between black and white photography and haiku is a profound one, rooted in their shared history, their structural elegance, their contemplation of landscapes, and their exploration of impermanence.
Both art forms challenge the artist to capture the essence of a moment, to distill the spirit of a place, and to create a sense of completeness within a strict framework. They invite the viewer to pause, to reflect, and to engage with the world in a deeper, more meaningful way.
In an era of constant distraction and stimulation, these art forms remind us of the power of simplicity, the beauty of impermanence, and the importance of contemplation. They remind us to pause, to breathe, and to appreciate the fleeting beauty of the world around us.
