Japanese Haiku – winning entries
A Japanese haiku is a tiny poem – just three lines – traditionally capturing a vivid moment in nature, the seasons, a moment in time or emotion. Traditionally following a 5 – 7 – 5 syllable pattern, haiku distill big feelings into beautifully simple imagery. For example, a classic style Haiku goes something like this:
Soft wind through pine trees (5)
Morning light on quiet paths (7)
A moment held still (5)
Recently, students in Year 10 Japanese learnt how to wrtie a seasonal haiku in Japanese!
We are delighted to report that two of our Year 10 Japanese students entered the Japanese Teachers’ Association NSW’s Haiku Contest 2026 and were awarded 1st and 3rd place prizes in a pool of many great entries!
Congratulations to Olivia, who placed 1st and Lauren, who placed 3rd.
Their Japanese haiku is reproduced below (with English translation, which translates with different syllables!)
Lisa Tang, Languages Teacher
Olivia’s Haiku
I like spring
Beautiful flowers
The flowers of spring
Lauren’s Haiku
The quiet of spring
Cherry blossoms fall
Flowers are finished
