The Japanese verse is as exciting as it is ancient. From the traditional tanka derives the haiku. Literary tanka means a "short poem", and the haiku is even shorter; it is three lines long with 5-7-5 syllables.

My favourite haiku-poet is Basho ( 1644 - 1694 AD), from whom I quote "Summer grass" below.

If you want to read more, I refer to Dushan Pajins site, "Aesthetics of World Haiku". You can read some of his thoughts here, or visit his homepage, at http://www.lpt.fi/io/.
You can also read a guideline from The Blue Latern Journal or visit their site, www.bluelantern.org

Natsugusa ya
tsuwamono domo ga
yume no ato
or in English
Summer grass:
of stalwart warriors splendid dreams
the aftermath.
Basho (translation by H. G. Henderson)