Haiku Generator
Haiku Generator is a web-based interface allowing the user to
generate random haikus with a simple mouse click.
All the words used in the generation of random haikus are directly
from the three Japanese haiku pioneers: Matsuo Basho, Kobayashi
Issa, and Yosa Buson. You may view the source at
Classic Haiku Database.
The generated haikus will be a combination of the words formed
according to a predetermined set of rules. There are two major
players in those rules: the number of syllables, and part of
speech of the word. In this generator, the functionality from RiTa
library, a toolkit for natural language and generative literature,
is used to track both elements of the word. Please visit
rednoise.org/rita
for detailed information.
Formal Structure
As the traditional haiku follows a 5-7-5 structure, the generated
haikus will be in the same pattern. Each line will match one of
the patterns below. (<1> indicates one-syllable word)
5-syllable line
<1> <1> <1> <2> | <1> <2> <2> | <1> <3> <1> | <1> <2> <1> <1> |
<2> <1> <2> | <2> <1> <1> <1>
7-syllable line
<1> <2> <2> <2> | <3> <1> <2> <1> | <2> <2> <1> <1> <1> | <2> <1>
<1> <2> <1> | <1> <1> <2> <1> <2> | <1> <1> <2> <2> <1>
Parts of Speech
Here is the list of the parts of speech used in the generator:
- Noun (e.g. "song", "plum", "flower", "bamboo")
- Personal pronoun (e.g. "they", "you", "he")
- Verb (e.g. "see", listen", "begin", "remain")
- Modal (e.g. "would", "can", "must", "may")
- Adjective (e.g. "dim", "cool", "deep", "dark")
- Adverb (e.g. "still", "far", "well", "soon")
- Coordinating conjunction (e.g. "and", "but", "or")
- To (e.g. "to")
- Preposition (e.g. "of", "with", "by")
Examples
long lilies could come
bitter strangers would play too
spare creepers could be
to read grasshopper
butterflies would foretell soon
to beware mountains
pampas may tremble
hungry blossoms arise soon
twin pebbles amble
brief voices begin
tangled twilight must sleep still
sleepy marks would lock
naked stars can speak
peonies can swallow twice
first lilies may fade
the clouds can lie too
open remains tremble far
a child could seek well