![]() |
Matsuo Basho Japan (1644 - 1694) Timeline Buddhist : Zen / Chan Poems by Matsuo Basho Books - Links |
Basho was probably born in 1644 in Iga Province outside of Kyoto, Japan. His father was a poor samurai-farmer.
As a teenager, Basho entered the service of the local lord, acting as a page. The young lord was only a couple of years older than Basho, and the two became friends, enjoying the playful exchange of haiku verses.
When Basho was still a young man, his friend and lord died. In reaction, Basho left home, abandoned his samurai status, and took to a life of wandering.
After several years, he settled in Edo (Tokyo), continuing to write and publish poetry. His haiku began to attract attention and students gathered around him. At about this time, Basho also took up Zen meditation.
Basho remained restless, even in his fame. A neighborhood fire claimed his small house in Edo leaving him homeless, and Basho once again took up the itinerant life, visiting friends and disciples, taking up residence for brief periods only to begin another journey. It was during this time that Basho composed some of his greatest haiku.
Basho returned to Edo in 1691 and died there in 1694.
Poems by Matsuo Basho
- A banana plant in the autumn gale
- Along this road
- awakened
- Clouds
- Come, let's go
- Crow's
- Dewdrop, let me cleanse
- Fever-felled half-way
- From moon wreathed
- If there were fragrance
- It is deep autumn
- Journey's end
- Old pond
- Skylark
- Such utter silence!
- Summer grasses
- The temple bell dies away
- This snowy morning
- Wintry day
- Year's end
Recommended Books: Matsuo Basho
Related Links
Matsuo Basho's Narrow Road to the Deep North
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/%7Ekohl/basho/life.html
A good exploration of Basho's life and poetry.
Poem Hunter: Matsuo Basho
http://www.poemhunter.com/matsuo-basho/poet-9224/
A complete list of Basho's poems.
On the Poet's Trail - National Geographic Magazine
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/02/bashos-trail/howard-norman-text
A fascinating article with beautiful photographs tracing Basho's travels.