Matsuo Basho is considered the Haiku Master and founding Father of the modern day Japanese Haiku. He, unlike many others was recognized during his life for his achievements to his craft though the title of Father of Modern Day Haiku and Master of Haiku was given years after his death. Matsuo Basho was born in 1644 in Ueno, Japan. He was born to a samurai father and spent his youth in servitude to Todo Yoshitada, a local feudal lord. It was Todo who introduced Matsuo to Chinese Poetry. He spent a large portion of his life traveling around Japan writing travel logs and poetry. He died in Osaka, Japan in October of 1694. The Edo period was characterized as the rule of Japan by the Shogunate and Samurai warriors. This was the time period Matsuo Basho lived in. It was a period of cultural growth, strict social customs and above all else isolation from the outside world. The Haiku is the type of poetry that Matsuo is accredited to have perfected. He did not invent the Haiku but he is credited with being the Master of the art form. Though the structure of the poems may be lost to direct translation they are still very moving and poignant. |