Who is Matsuo Basho
Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉, 1644–1694), born 松尾 金作, then Matsuo Chūemon Munefusa (松尾 忠右衛門 宗房), was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. 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). Matsuo Bashō's poetry is internationally renowned; and, in Japan, many of his poems are reproduced on monuments and traditional sites. Although Bashō is justifiably famous in the West for his hokku, he himself believed his best work lay in leading and participating in renku. He is quoted as saying, "Many of my followers can write hokku as well as I can. Where I show who I really am is in link...Read Full Biography
Matsuo Basho Poems
- Autumn Moonlight
Autumn moonlight--
a worm digs silently
into the chestnut.
... - Winter Solitude
Winter solitude--
in a world of one color
the sound of wind.
... - With Every Gust Of Wind
With every gust of wind,
the butterfly changes its place
on the willow.
... - The Shallows
The shallows â??
a craneâ??s thighs splashed
in cool waves
... - Haiku
scent of plum blossoms
on the misty mountain path
a big rising sun
...
Top 10 most used topics by Matsuo Basho
Winter 12 Autumn 11 Rain 9 Moon 9 Morning 8 Cold 6 Wind 5 Snow 5 World 5 Butterfly 5Matsuo Basho Quotes
- Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.
- Seek not to follow in the footsteps of men of old; seek what they sought.
Comments about Matsuo Basho
- Estherhawdon: "i clap my hands and to the echo day dawns the summer moon." basho matsuo (trans. hoshimo tsunehiko & adrian pinnington) (image: yajuro takashima)
- Jeffdungfelder: blossoms ambience. . . . “thanks for all” . expressing my gratitude to blossoms . at the parting. . — matsuo basho . . . . . (nyc)
- Servet_ggk: school-age boys at pkk ranks posing with ak47 rifles. this depressing photo proves the terror group is recruiting children for their malign activities. the boy circled in blue mark is named hamza, 9yo, who’s been missing for 5 years. parents’ efforts to get him back proved futile
- Poetrymagnate: four haiku matsuo basho spring: a hill without a name veiled in morning mist. the beginning of autumn: sea and emerald paddy both the same green. the winds of autumn blow: yet still green the chestnut husks. a flash of lightning: into the gloom goes the heron's cry.
- Winningwriters: in the cicada's cry there's no sign that can foretell how soon it must die. ~matsuo basho
