Top 3 best study guides for Japanese Haiku poems (Grade 10 - SGK Kết nối tri thức)

*Before Reading

The shortest poem I've ever read is 'Tụng giá hoàn kinh sư' by Trần Quang Khải, a five-character quatrain with only 20 words. What sticks in my mind about it is its profound, concise language, encapsulating deep humanistic thoughts.

*While Reading

1. Imagine the colors and atmosphere described in the poem.

• Colors: brown of dry branches, black of the crow
• Atmosphere: cold, gloomy, bleak

2. What impression do the images of 'hoa triêu nhan' (morning flowers) and 'dây gàu' (well rope) leave you with? They suggest the image of morning flowers entwining with the well rope, symbolizing nature's boundless vitality. 3. When we mention 'snail' and 'Mount Fuji,' what attributes typically come to mind? Snails are associated with slowness, while Mount Fuji evokes vastness and majesty.

*After Reading

Japanese Haiku poems leave a deep impression with their concise and simple form, filled with profound humanistic meanings. Through nature and the world around us, the poet conveys a love for nature and reflections on life, humanity, and the self.

Answer the questions after reading:

Question 1 (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1): Poem 1: crow imagery, Poem 2: morning flower imagery, Poem 3: snail imagery. The common thread between the central images of the three poems: all belong to the natural world, small, and familiar to humans.

Question 2 (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1):Central image: the crow, Space: dry branch, Time: autumn afternoon. The relationship between the central image and the space/time is harmonious: the 'crow' evokes sadness, 'dry branches' suggest a gloomy, withering scene, and 'autumn afternoon' conveys a somber, quiet atmosphere. These images create a solitary, lifeless autumn afternoon.

Question 3 (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1):The poem by Chi-y-o revolves around the discovery of morning flowers entwined around a well rope. Before beauty and life, the poet cherishes and respects them, choosing to 'ask for water from the neighbor' to preserve the beauty.

Question 4 (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1):The snail and Mount Fuji imagery are opposites: the snail symbolizes slowness, while Mount Fuji evokes grandeur and endlessness. The snail is in motion, while Mount Fuji stands still.

Question 5 (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1):The autumn afternoon, with its dry branches and crow, evokes feelings of loneliness, smallness, and sadness in an empty, quiet space.

Question 6 (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1):The poem by Chi-y-o, with the image of morning flowers near the well, entwined around the rope, paints a picture of vibrant, life-filled nature. The poet's decision to 'ask for water from the neighbor' to avoid disturbing the beauty shows a philosophical stance: Nature is beautiful and deserves our respect and care.

Question 7 (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1):The slow journey of the snail mirrors the human journey to conquer life's peaks. Success doesn't come quickly, and every step must be taken carefully, with effort and determination. Slow progress accumulates experience over time.

Reading-Writing Connection: (page 46 SGK Ngữ Văn 10, Volume 1): After reading the three Haiku poems, write a 150-word paragraph on what interests you most about the Haiku form. Hint: Haiku is a traditional Japanese form with an important place in world literature, known for its brevity. One unique feature of Haiku is its conciseness, where the meaning often goes beyond the words. Though it uses only a few words, the poem holds deep humanistic thoughts about life and existence. To uncover the poem's meaning, readers must connect seemingly separate images and find the link between them. The beauty of Haiku lies in its ability to convey rich emotion and contemplation with minimal language.

Question 1: Imagine the atmospheric colors of the scene described in the poem.

Answer:

Visualize the colors and atmosphere of the scene depicted in the poem.

• Colors: the brown of dry branches, the black of the crow, and the golden hue of the autumn evening.
• Atmosphere: quiet, desolate.

Question 2: What impression do the images of "triêu nhan flowers" and "gourd vine" create for you?

Answer:

The images of the "triêu nhan flowers" and "gourd vine" seem intertwined, with the flowers curling around the gourd vine.

Question 3: When thinking of "the snail" and "Mt. Fuji," what features come to mind?

Answer:

The features of:

• "The snail": a small, slow-moving creature, passive in nature.
• "Mt. Fuji": a famous mountain in Japan, evoking grandeur and majesty of nature.

B. Exercises and Solutions

ANSWERING QUESTIONS

Question 1: Identify the central image in each of the haiku poems and state the common traits of these images.

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

Central image of each poem:

• Poem 1: the image of the crow
• Poem 2: triêu nhan flowers
• Poem 3: the small snail

Question 2: Identify the relationship between the central image in Baso's poem and the elements of time and space.

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

The image of the crow perched on a dry branch during an autumn afternoon creates a scene of desolation and quietness.

Question 3: Chi-o's poem revolves around what discovery? Why do you think this discovery leads the speaker to ask for water from a neighbor?

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

• The poet discovers the triêu nhan flowers winding around the gourd vine by the well.
• The poet perceives life and beauty in the small, enduring triêu nhan flowers.
• Triêu nhan flowers, a climbing plant, have wrapped themselves around the gourd vine to bloom. Moved by the beauty and life of the flowers, the poet chooses to ask for water from a neighbor instead of using the gourd, cherishing and protecting nature's beauty.

Question 4: Based on the common characteristics of "the snail" and "Mt. Fuji," discuss the relationship between these two images.

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

• The images of "the snail" and "Mt. Fuji" are opposites. The snail is small, while Mt. Fuji is massive and majestic. The image of the snail climbing Mt. Fuji symbolizes the journey of a person pursuing grand life dreams.

Question 5: What emotions might the moment depicted in Baso's poem evoke in the reader?

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

The branch, the crow, and the autumn afternoon exude solitude. The poem not only reflects the withering scenery of an autumn afternoon resembling the crow’s silhouette but also contrasts the tiny black crow’s form with the vast, uncertain darkness of the evening. The image of the lonely crow perched on a bare branch in the expansive autumn scene draws the reader into a mystical and desolate world, an empty void.

Question 6: Reflect on the philosophical message in Chi-o's poem regarding human interaction with nature.

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

The poet, upon seeing the triêu nhan flowers (a vine plant) curling around the gourd vine by the well, is moved by its delicate beauty. Unable to harm it, the poet chooses to ask a neighbor for water instead of using the gourd. This reflects a philosophy of respecting, cherishing, and protecting life, no matter how small, within nature.

Question 7: How do you perceive the "slow" journey of the snail in Issa's poem?

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

The snail's journey up Mt. Fuji symbolizes the pursuit of dreams, aspirations, and human ambition. The slow-moving snail’s desire to conquer Mt. Fuji reflects our own desires to achieve lofty goals. What matters most is not how fast we move, but the relentless determination to continue striving towards our ideal life. Even if we move slower than others, persistence in chasing our dreams is what gives life meaning.

READING – WRITING CONNECTION

After reading these three poems, write a paragraph (about 150 words) expressing what you find most intriguing about the haiku form.

Solution: Haiku Poems – Japanese Literature, 10th Grade, Volume 1 [Connecting Knowledge]

Haiku is a popular form of Japanese poetry. Unlike Vietnamese poetry, which often uses rhyme, Japanese haiku does not require rhyme. Haiku poems are short but rich in meaning, typically focusing on nature with central images of plants, animals, and seasons. A haiku must contain a kigo, a word that subtly suggests the season, such as cherry blossoms, yellowing leaves, or snow. Haiku often contrast grand cosmic images with small, everyday details. This unique feature makes haiku poetry especially compelling and fascinating.

1. Summary of the Work: A Collection of Haiku Poems from Japan

The collection of Japanese haiku poems offers readers an impression of a concise and simple form of poetry, yet one that conveys deep humanistic meanings. Haiku often utilizes imagery from nature, blending with unique descriptive forms, and the poet imparts a love for nature and reflections on human life.

2. Structure of the Work: A Collection of Haiku Poems from Japan

The collection is divided into three parts:

• Part 1: Poem 1: The poem depicts the image of a crow
• Part 2: Poem 2: The poem describes the image of the chrysanthemum flower
• Part 3: Poem 3: The poem portrays the image of a small snail

3. Main Content of A Collection of Haiku Poems from Japan

The three poems in the collection express the emotions of both the author and humanity when confronted with nature, and they impart life lessons to the reader.

4. Author of A Collection of Haiku Poems from Japan

4.1. Author Matsuo Basho

Born in 1644 and died in 1694, he is a famous poet in Japanese literature. Matsuo Basho played a significant role in refining the haiku form and establishing it as one of Japan's most unique poetic forms.

4.2. Author Chiyo

Born in 1703 and died in 1775, she marked the success of female authors in the haiku genre. Prior to her, many female haiku poets were overlooked and forgotten. She is celebrated for her distinctive poetic voice and beloved by readers.

4.3. Author Kobayashi Issa

Born in 1763 and died in 1828, Issa was a poet and a Buddhist monk. He was also a talented painter, known for haiku-inspired artwork.

5. The Haiku Poems from Japan5.1. The Poetic Form

This traditional form of poetry holds an important role in Japanese literature. Haiku is considered one of the most concise poetic forms in the world. Each haiku consists of three lines, with the first and third lines containing five syllables, and the second line containing seven syllables. Haiku typically blends human emotions with imagery of nature in a way that is clear, gentle, and rich in symbolism. The form is brief and profound.

5.2. Thematic Value

The haiku poems successfully express the feelings of people when facing nature, using symbolic images like “autumn evening,” “chrysanthemum,” and small objects like “well rope” and “snail.” These images convey human effort, emotions of melancholy, and longing.

5.3. Artistic Value

Concise and brief, the imagery is symbolic, gentle, and carries profound meanings.

* ComprehensionPrepare for reading the collection of haiku poems in the 10th-grade literature textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1.
1. Before ReadingWhat is the shortest poem you have ever read? What made it memorable for you?Solution: The shortest poem I’ve read is titled “The Fate of the Nation” by Zen master Do Phap:
“The country’s fate is like climbing vines,
Southern skies are peaceful.
Without action, one resides in the temple,
In every place, the sword falls.”
This brief, concise poem has a gentle rhythm, and reading it, I sense the poet’s deep love for the homeland.

2. While ReadingQuestion 1 (Page 46, 10th Grade Literature Textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1): Imagine the colors and atmosphere of the scene described in the poem.Students can imagine the following:
Colors: Brown from the firewood, black from the crow, and yellow from the autumn evening.
Atmosphere: Sad and quiet.
Question 2 (Page 46, 10th Grade Literature Textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1): What impression do you get from the images of “chrysanthemum” and “well rope”?Solution: The second poem’s imagery brings to mind the purple chrysanthemum flowers entwined in the well rope beside a water well.
Question 3 (Page 46, 10th Grade Literature Textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1): What do you associate with the images of “snail” and “Mount Fuji”?Solution: The “snail” evokes the image of a small, slow-moving creature, while “Mount Fuji” evokes a majestic, towering mountain.

3. After ReadingQuestion 1 (Page 46, 10th Grade Literature Textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1): Identify the central image of each haiku in the collection above and their common traits.Solution:
Poem 1: The central image is the crow.
Poem 2: The central image is the chrysanthemum.
Poem 3: The central image is the snail.
Comment: The central figures in all three poems are small, ordinary objects.
Question 2 (Page 46, 10th Grade Literature Textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1): Identify the relationship between the central images in Basho’s poem and the time and space elements.Solution: The image of the crow perched on a dry branch in the first poem evokes a quiet autumn scene, simple and gentle.
Question 3 (Page 46, 10th Grade Literature Textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1): What discovery is central to Chiyo’s poem, and why does this discovery lead the poet to ask for water from the neighboring house?Solution: The poet discovers the chrysanthemums entwined in the well rope. The poet recognizes life, beauty, and Buddhist nature in these fragile, enduring flowers. Moved by their beauty and life, the poet asks for water from the neighbor so as not to harm the chrysanthemums.
Question 4 (Page 46, 10th Grade Literature Textbook, Connecting Knowledge to Life, Volume 1): Based on the common traits you associate with “snail” and “Mount Fuji,” how would you compare these two images?Solution: The image of a small snail struggling to climb Mount Fuji symbolizes human effort in the pursuit of great life dreams.