Matsuo Basho (Haiku)

HAIKUby: Matsuo Basho

Matsuo Basho

• 1644 – November 28, 1694• Ueno, in Iga Province• He made a living as a teacher.• famous poet of the Edo period in Japan

Contributions to Literature• most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan

.• recognized for collaborative haikai no renga

form• in Japan, many of his poems are reproduced

on monuments and traditional sites.• recognized as the greatest master of haiku

History of Haiku• Bashō became a servant to Tōdō

Yoshitada.5-7-5 mora formathokkuLater renamed as haiku.

What is Haiku?

• a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world.

Structural Rules• Uses exactly 17 syllables• Syllables are arranged in three lines of 5-7-5• Avoids similes and metaphors• Refers to a season of the year

What is Haiku All About?

• Haiku poems can describe anything

• Has a dominant impression

• Uses imagistic language

Seasonal Theme

Each Haiku must contain a kigo, a season word, which indicates what season of the year the Haiku is set.

Example

Clouds appear and bring -to men a chance to rest from

looking at the moon

• Subject- nature• Observation at the moment (beautiful

day)• Senses- sight

Other Example

Spring morning marvellovely nameless little hill

on a sea of mist

• Subject- nature• Observation at the moment• Senses- sight, smell and texture• Season- Spring

Old ponda frog jumps

the sound of water