発ほっ句く

noun

opening verse of a renga

Specifically the first 17-syllable (5-7-5) verse in a linked-verse sequence (renga). This is a technical term from classical poetry.

See also: 挙句 (あげく)

• 連れん歌がでは、発ほっ句くが全ぜん体たいの季き節せつ感かんを決きめる重じゅう要ような役やく割わりを果はたす。

  In renga, the opening verse plays an important role in setting the seasonal tone of the whole sequence.

noun

haiku

By extension, 発句 can refer to a standalone haiku, especially in older usage. In modern Japanese, 俳句 is the usual word for haiku.

• 芭ば蕉しょうの発ほっ句くには、自し然ぜんへの深ふかい洞どう察さつが感かんじられる。

  In Bashō's haiku, one can feel a deep insight into nature.

noun

first five-syllable line of a tanka

Rare technical use; refers to the opening 5-syllable line of a tanka (5-7-5-7-7). This usage is mostly found in classical poetry commentary.

• この歌うたの発ほっ句くは、読どく者しゃの注ちゅう意いを引ひく力ちから強づよい表ひょう現げんで始はじまる。

  The first line of this tanka begins with a powerful expression that grabs the reader's attention.