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Senryū

Form
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A three-line Japanese poem, similar to haiku, but focused on satirical or humorous observation of human nature

Detailed Definition
Senryū is a Japanese poetic form closely resembling haiku in structure (three lines, traditionally 5-7-5 onji) but differing in subject matter: while haiku focus on nature and seasonal awareness, senryū center on human nature, behavior, and social foibles, often with irony, satire, or wry observation; originating in the Edo period and named after the poet Karai Senryū, this form uses brevity and juxtaposition to expose the absurdities and vulnerabilities of everyday life, and has influenced Western poets seeking to blend humor with psychological insight in minimalist verse.
Example
Example in poetry:
Traditional Senryū: “Old man coughs— / his dog looks away / embarrassed”; Contemporary: “Teenager texts / mom’s funeral plans / by mistake”; Another: “Boss says ‘family first’ / while denying leave”; Student example: “She smiled through / the HR meeting / about her assault”; Another: “He proposed / on a billboard— / she said no.”
Additional Notes
Senryū is a Japanese 3-line form like haiku but focuses on human nature, satire, or humor instead of nature.
Also Known As
Comic haiku Human haiku
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