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- Bashō’s haiku poems are celebrated for their simplicity and ability to encapsulate a single moment in time. His compositions often revolve around the natural world, expressing both its beauty and depth. One of Bashō’s unique qualities is his profound sensitivity and empathy for all living beings, which is evident in his writings.
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The 17th-century Japanese haiku master Bashō was born Matsuo Kinsaku near Kyoto, Japan, to a minor samurai and his wife. Soon after the poet’s birth, Japan closed its borders, beginning a seclusion that allowed its native culture to flourish.
During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as the greatest master of haiku (then called hokku).
- Summary of The Old Pond
- Meaning
- Structure
- Literary Devices
- Analysis of The Old Pond
- Similar Poetry
In this haiku poem, there are only three images. One is a static image of an old pond. The second one is a dynamic image of a frog jumping into the pond. Lastly, there is an auditory image that presents the sound that is generated from a frog jumping into the pond-water. While reading the haiku, one has to be imaginative to get to the core of the p...
This haiku contains manifold meaning inside its brevity and compactness. To begin with, the literal meaning of the Japanese text is of great importance. As it gives the key to the inner meaning of the text. In the first phrase, “Furu” means old, and “ike” means pond. Here, “ya” is a “kireji” or “cutting word”. Thereafter, in the second phrase, “kaw...
‘The Old Pond’ consists of a total of 17 syllables. In the first phrase, there are 5 syllables and in the second phrase, there are 7 syllables. The last phrase has 5 syllables. Structurally, a haiku poem has a “kireji” or cutting word. Here, the cutting word is in the first phrase. It is “ya” that marks a shift in the poem. Another important elemen...
There are some important literary devices in this haiku poem. Firstly, the “pond” is a metaphor for the subconscious mind. It can also be a metaphorical reference to the soul. Whereas, the “old pond” seems to be an example of personification. Here, Bashō personifies the pond. Thereafter, in the second phrase, the frog acts as a metaphor. Here, it e...
Line 1
The haiku, using Fumiko Saisho’s translation, begins with the image of the old pond. It can be somewhere in a forest or far from human habitation. Bashō associates no other sound with this image. So, the pond is probably at a distance, in tranquility and silence. Moreover, it is old. Being an ancient creature, it has survived the ravages of time. Burdened with the experience of the long years, the pond exists as a sage. The poet somehow connects himself with this pond. There is a closeness in...
Line 2
Suddenly a frog breaks the tranquility of the pond. It doesn’t start to croak in its usual pattern. The frog simply jumps into the pond. Why does the frog jump into the pond? One has to ask this question first before moving to the climax of this haiku. The frog might have jumped into the pond, not for breeding or laying eggs as it’s not the season of monsoon. So, one thing is clear the frog does it for its biological instinct. It seems as if the water of the pond rejuvenates the frog. So, it...
Line 3
In the last line of the haiku, the sound becomes an interesting part of the imagery. The sound is not artificial. An external stimulus is responsible for the creation of sound. When the frog jumps into the water, it generates a short-staying sound. It isn’t shrill. Yet it’s not deep. The texture of the water’s sound lies somewhere in the middle. The poet’s mind gets alert after hearing the song but it doesn’t break his concentration. Rather it heightens his trance and takes him to the next le...
Like Bashō’s ‘The Old Pond,’here is a list of poems in which the poets explore more by saying less. 1. Fame is a beeby Emily Dickinson– It’s one of the best Emily Dickinson poems. This poem discusses the nature of fame. 2. Time Isby Henry van Dyke– This poem presents the definition of time that varies from person to person. 3. Their Sex Lifeby A. R...
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Matsuo Bashō was a renowned Japanese haiku poet born in 1644 in Ueno, Japan. He is widely recognized as one of the four great masters of haiku, alongside Kobayashi Issa, Buson, and Shiki. Bashō’s poetic works beautifully capture the essence of nature and reflect profound insights into the human experience.
Bashō was the supreme Japanese haiku poet, who greatly enriched the 17-syllable haiku form and made it an accepted medium of artistic expression. Interested in haiku from an early age, Bashō at first put his literary interests aside and entered the service of a local feudal lord.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) was a renowned Japanese poet during the Edo period, known for his haiku poetry and travel writing. He developed the haiku into a sophisticated form of poetry, using simple language and imagery to evoke profound emotions and insights into nature and life.
One of Bashō’s most famous works is his travelogue, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, which chronicles his journey through the northern provinces of Japan in the late 17th century. The book is a masterpiece of haibun, a hybrid form of prose and haiku that Bashō pioneered.
