Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) is one of the most renowned and respected poets in Japanese literature, and is often considered the master of the haiku, a form of poetry consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables. Born in Iga Province (present-day Mie Prefecture), Basho’s life and work were characterized by a deep … Continue reading Matsuo Basho: A Journey into the World of Haiku