Matsuo Basho

Bashô as seen in an ukiyo-e print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
  • Born: 1644
  • Died: 1694
  • Japanese: 松尾芭蕉 (Matsuo Bashou)

Matsuo Bashô stands as one of the greatest - if not greatest - of Japan's haiku composers. A samurai turned wandering priest, Bashô wrote a book called 'The Narrow Road of Oku' (Oku no hosomichi) and many of his poems remain well-known in Japan - and around the world.

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