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Onji
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On is a Japanese word corresponding to a sound; onji corresponds to "sound symbol".
On (or onji) are the "syllables" that are counted in Japanese Haiku. In counting the beats in haiku, "on" is often translated into the English word syllable , although an English syllable may in fact consist of several on. The on more accurately correspond to the phonetic units morae. The word moji (character symbol) is also sometimes used, as is haku.
In an essay "Stalking the Wild Onji," Richard Gilbert notes that although often used in English-language discussion of Japanese poetry, the word "onji" is an archaic term not commonly used in modern Japanese. He notes that the modern Japanese term would be hyouon moji.
Haiku Society of America discussion of "on" and "onji"
Stalking the Wild Onji (also available in pdf form at worldhaiku.net or iyume.com)