Matsuo Basho

Basho, the Japanese poet and diarist, was born in Iga-ueno near Kyoto in 1644. He spent his youth as companion to the son of the local lord, and with him he studied the writing of seventeen-syllable verse. In 1667 he moved to Edo (now Tokyo) where he continued to write verse. He eventually became a recluse, living on the outskirts of Edo in a hut. When he traveled he relied entirely on the hospitality of temples and fellow-poets. In his writings he was strongly influenced by the Zen sect of Buddhism.

Books by Matsuo Basho from Shambhala

Books by Matsuo Basho from Kodansha USA

The Narrow Road to Oku

The Narrow Road to Oku

Matsuo Basho
Basho

Basho

Matsuo Basho

Books by Matsuo Basho from Catapult

A Zen Wave

A Zen Wave

Matsuo Basho