The Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that is celebrated for its brevity and focus on nature. It consists of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure (though in Japanese, this is measured in 'on' or sound units). The form evolved from a longer collaborative poem called 'renga,' specifically the opening verse known as the 'hokku.' It wasn't until the late 19th century that Masaoka Shiki renamed the standalone form 'haiku.' A traditional haiku must include two elements: a 'kigo,' which is a word or phrase indicating the season (such as cherry blossoms for spring), and a 'kireji' or 'cutting word' that creates a pause or a shift in the poem's thought. Matsuo Bashō is the most famous practitioner of the form, and his poems often capture a fleeting moment of profound insight. Despite its rigid structure, haiku has gained international popularity, adapted into many languages as a way to evoke deep emotion with minimal words.