Frequently Asked Questions

A F.A.Q., or Frequently Asked Questions, page offers answers to common questions that we encounter frequently. If you have a question that is not addressed below please contact us.

1. What is Triku?
2. Where did Triku come from?
3. Why the interchangeable order?
4. Why is it called Triku?
5. So...is Triku like...Haiku?
6. What principles characterize Triku?

6a. A triku is Attributable

6b. A triku is Beneficial

6c. A triku is Original

6d. A triku is Natural

6e. A triku is Meaningful

6f. A triku is Optimal

6g. A triku is Transcendental

7. What’s the point of Triku?
8. How can I see more of these?
9. Can I Copy and Use These?
10. Can I Compose My Own triku?
11. What’s in the Works?

What is Triku?

Triku is a format for saying things. An individual ‘triku’ is a saying in this format (the term is both singular and plural like ‘a sheep, many sheep’). The format of Triku is defined by three rules: 1) A triku has three phrases; 2) Each phrase of a triku is seven syllables; 3) The phrases of a triku must form a plausible sentence in any of their six possible arrangements. Here is an example:

If the king says it is night / In the middle of the day / Look up and behold the stars

This is a triku in its primary or initial form. Since the three phrases can occur in any one of six possible arrangements, the other five forms of this triku are:

If the king says it is night / Look up and behold the stars / In the middle of the day

In the middle of the day / Look up and behold the stars / If the king says it is night

In the middle of the day / If the king says it is night / Look up and behold the stars

Look up and behold the stars / If the king says it is night / In the middle of the day

Look up and behold the stars / In the middle of the day / If the king says it is night

Where did Triku Come From?

The idea for Triku occurred originally and independently to Chris Stuart, founder and director of Triku.com in the Fall of 2003. In 2004 the copyright was registered on a record of the form and development of Triku.

Why the Interchangeable Order?

Though a triku should be able to stand on its own as a reasonably insightful statement, by transforming from one arrangement to another a variety of interesting things happen. There’s an element of mental exercise, your mind is stretched in a unique way as the words/meaning reform into something similar but different. Statements may become questions and questions become statements. In some triku the terms assume different grammatical functions depending on the order of the phrases. There’s a meditative aspect as the central meaning of the triku is poured through the different arrangements (a bit like moving a diamond around to catch the light at different angles). And there is (we hope) at least a little ‘Gee whiz!’ effect as you see phrases do something phrases have never done before.

Why is it Called Triku?

‘Triku’ is a purposeful adaptation of ‘Haiku’. Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry which consists of three lines totaling seventeen syllables in a 5/7/5 pattern. The term ‘Triku’ simply recognizes and seeks to honor some common ground with Haiku. Triku is not an attempt to improve or update Haiku in any way. The excellencies of Haiku are widely appreciated, it does not need to be improved.

So...is Triku like...Haiku?

The overlap between Triku and Haiku is a three line form with strict metrical pattern (Haiku 17 beats in 5/7/5, Triku 21 beats in 7/7/7), beyond that they diverge. Haiku is a traditional art form, poetry whose goal is to evoke the feeling of the experience the words describe. In addition, the subject matter of Haiku tends to be (more or less) restricted to nature and seasons.

Triku is a new form of expression into which anything (following certain principles listed below) can fit. Triku.com emphasizes the presentation of proverbs, epigrams and witty sayings as triku. But the form is not limited to this. One could compose a triku as a love poem, a recipe, an advertising slogan or a memorial. Triku is a format for ‘sayings’ in the broadest sense of the term, ‘something that is said’.

What Principles Characterize Triku?

Just as there are three rules which govern Triku (see above) so there are seven principles that shape it. The rules are....well......rules, they just define how things are. The principles are......uh......principles, that is they sort of shape things without being as strict as, say......rules. What a coincidence that something composed of three lines of seven syllables should have three rules and seven principles! The seven principles of Triku are:

A triku is Attributable:

“capable of being attributed”

The author of a triku is known and, wind and weather permitting, the author’s name is always presented with the triku. When the copyright is registered, it is registered on the saying WITH the author as a single unit.

A triku is Beneficial:

“conducive to personal or social well-being”

Triku is not intended for and will not validate derogatory, injurious or otherwise negative expressions. A triku can be humorous, insightful or even poignant, but it will not be a vehicle detrimental communication.

A triku is Original:

“not secondary, derivative, or imitative; being the first instance or source”

This principle needs careful definition. It is not that the thought the triku embodies must be original. Many triku will be inspired by and reflect the collective wisdom of the ages. Indeed, there’s a structural provision to recognize the source of the thought (search for ‘Mark Twain’ on the home page to see an example). The thoughts may or may not be new, however the unique format of Triku, particularly the requirement that the phrases work in any order, virtually guarantees that the expression, that particular arrangement of words, is utterly original.

A triku is Natural:

“marked by easy simplicity and freedom from artificiality or affectation”

A good triku does not just sound like a ‘natural statement’, it is a natural statement, i.e. one that would occur in normal conversation. And the more natural each of a triku’s forms are, the better that triku is. One of the challenges of Triku is to craft a ‘simple, unaffected’ statement within the strict requirements of the form.

A triku is Meaningful:

“full of meaning; significant”

A triku should say something worth saying. It might be touching, or humorous or encouraging, but it should convey something insightful. The less meaningful the statement, the weaker the triku, no matter how well it follows the other principles. However, this principle must be applied with the recognition that what is meaningful to one person (a triku describing their beloved cat) may have little meaning for someone else.

A triku is Optimal:

“most desirable; optimum”

What a triku is optimal about is the use of words. Triku aims for the elegant arrangement of words within the form to convey meaning. Triku does not rely on special typesetting, fancy fonts, punctuation or rhyme. Though none of these devices are excluded, they are neither desired nor encouraged. The best triku is the simplest, least adorned arrangement of words.

A triku is Transcendental:

“that which transcends”

Anything that abides by the rules and other principles is a triku, there is no limit on content or subject matter. Boundaries are transcended. A triku (following the rules and principles) can be or do or say anything.

 

In another remarkable coincidence the phrase “a bon mot” (French for ‘a clever saying’) forms an acrostic for the seven principles of Triku:

Attributable
Beneficial
Original
Natural
Meaningful
Optimal
Transcendental

What’s the Point of Triku?

Since Triku is a way of saying things, it can have whatever point the composer is trying to communicate, or serve whatever purpose the reader is reading for. The point of some is to communicate folk-wisdom or humorous observations. Triku may be an encouraging thought for the day such as you would find on motivational calendars, or an amusing diversion such as you would find on the comics page.

Triku can be a way of of self-expression as you compose your personal insights in the form and then have the opportunity to display them to the world (with your name attached) at Triku.com. Triku can facilitate meditation or provide a form of ‘anti-alzheimer’s’ mental exercise. A triku can be composed to commemorate an event or celebrate a relationship. The form has intriguing possibilities in the realm of advertising, the transformations and their visual presentation draw out the attention of the observer, a prized characteristic in the commercial world.

You might compose a triku that’s popular enough to be merchandised, or clever enough that an advertiser wants it for their product. Either way, it could be a source of income to you.

How can I see more of these?

You can subscribe to have an original triku emailed to you twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday mornings). Or you can just visit the site. New triku will be added to the publicly viewable pool at the start of the month after they’ve been sent to subscribers.

Can I Copy and Use These?

Please do! If you find a triku insightful or humorous or useful in any way we’d like you to take it, enjoy it and share it. Please note that Triku.com has registered the copyright on every triku.

Can I Compose My Own triku??

Yes, you can compose and submit a triku. We will display it, with your name attached, for all the world to see, free of charge. What’s more, if someone wants to license your triku for individual presentation (e.g. on a T-shirt, bumper sticker or mug), you’ll receive royalties! So composing and submitting triku, in addition to providing mental exercise and a creative outlet, gives you a shot and fame and fortune!

You should be aware that the site currently functions with a size limit for each of the three phrases of a triku (28 characters, including spaces). THIS IS NOT A LIMIT OF THE TRIKU FORM. It’s a limit based on our website capability (larger phrases won’t display completely in the animations). Until we’re able to expand this limit phrases larger than 28 characters (including spaces) will not display properly. We apologize for the inconvenience.

What’s in the works?

3,650 of the World’s Finest Proverbs, will soon be available. This is a special collection of proverbs from around the world. It’s ideally suited to provide ‘seed thoughts’ for composing triku.

We aim to develop a portable animation which can easily be incoprorated into other websites. This will permit us to offer triku as commercial slogans.

The Handbook of Triku and Triku Volume 1 are also in the pipeline. The handbook will be a stepby- step guide to the composition of triku. Triku Volume 1 will present our favorite triku in a book format.

Thanks for your interest! Enjoy, subscribe and compose!

Christopher Stuart
Triku.com LLC

Please contact us with any ideas for improvements or features you’d like to see at Triku.com.