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Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉, 1644 – November 28, 1694); [ 2 ] born Matsuo Kinsaku (松尾 金作), later known as Matsuo Chūemon Munefusa (松尾 忠右衛門 宗房) [ 3 ] was the most famous Japanese poet of the Edo period. During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form; today, after ...
- Life Facts
- Interesting Facts
- Famous Poems by Matsuo Bashō
- Early Life
- Career
- Later Life and Death
- Legacy
Matsuo Bashō was born in 1644 in Ueno, in the Iga Province.His birth name was Matsuo Kinsaku.He studied Zen Buddhism.His pen names included: Sōbō (宗房), Tōsē (桃青), and Bashō (芭蕉)He wrote numerous haikuduring his lifetime, leaving behind a significant body of work.His pen name, Bashō, means “banana tree.”He lost his mother at a young age.Bashō was known for his profound empathy and compassion towards all forms of life.‘The old pond’– This iconic haiku by Bashō captures the simplicity and profundity of a single moment as a frog jumps into a still pond, creating ripples.‘In Kyoto’ – a poem that expresses the poet’s longing to spend time in Kyoto.‘In the twilight rain’ – a beautiful haiku that depicts the rain and a bright hibiscus flower.Bashō was born into a samurai family and grew up in a political and social upheaval time. Despite his privileged background, he chose a different path, dedicating himself to the arts and poetry. From an early age, he received a classical education and developed a deep appreciation for literature and the natural world. When he was a teenager, it’s b...
Bashō began his career as a poet during the Edo period, where he embarked on numerous travels across Japan around 1672. These journeys greatly influenced his poetry, as he drew inspiration from the landscapes, people, and culture he encountered. Bashō’s works display a delicate balance between introspection and observation of the external world. Hi...
In his later years, Bashō attained great recognition and respect for his contributions to haiku poetry. He passed away on November 28, 1694, at the age of 49 or 50, leaving behind a profound legacy that continues to resonate with readers worldwide.
Matsuo Bashō’s legacy lies in his immense contributions to Japanese poetry, particularly haiku. His ability to capture the essence of a moment and express profound truths through simple, evocative language set him apart as a master of the craft. Bashō’s works continue to inspire poets and enthusiasts of haiku, securing his position as one of the gr...
- The Old Pond. ‘The Old Pond’ is one of the best-known Japanese haiku of all time. This haiku consists of three phrases that contain the syllable count of 5-7-5.
- Autumn moonlight. ‘Autumn moonlight’ by Matsuo Bashō is a traditional haiku that’s beautiful written about the seasons. This translation was done by Robert Hass.
- In Kyoto. ‘In Kyoto’ by Matsuo Bashō expresses a deep sense of longing and nostalgia for the city of Kyoto through a 3-line haiku. Matsuo Basho is one of the most celebrated poets of Japanese literature, known for his haiku poems that capture the essence of nature and human experience in a simple yet profound way.
- The shallows. ‘The shallows’ by Matsuo Bashō is a beautiful, traditional haiku about a crane landing in cool, shallow water and the ripples it makes. This poem is considered to be a very good example of Matsuo Bashō's poetry.
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) made about 1000 haiku poems through the lifetime, traveling around Japan. His writing “ The Narrow Road to the Deep North ” is the most famous haiku collection in Japan. Among the haiku poems, I would like to introduce you the 10 famous examples of his “Sabi” works including “old pond and frog”, “cicada” and his death poem .
Basho had for some time been challenged by some of his followers, notably Kakei, over their differences about the style of poetry. Bashō tells Kyorai simply to ignore these dissenters and declares that “at the time when one is pursuing the task of constructing the one great way of haikai style (not just for our own time but) for all times, how could one be bothered with such trifles?”
Key takeaway: The poetry of Matsuo Bashō is deeply influenced by Zen philosophy and the beauty of nature. His haikus reflect Zen principles and his connection to the natural world. An analysis of Bashō’s famous haiku, “The Old Pond,” reveals his ability to capture the beauty and essence of nature in just a few words.
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Basho eventually managed, almost single-handedly, to usher in a new phase in which haiku finally acquired an equal standing to waka as serious poetry in the grand style. (This feat, I think, is comparable to the ver-nacular revolution against the Greek and Latin classics achieved by Dante, Chaucer, and the French Renaissance poets.)
