Matsuo Basho

Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) was a Japanese poet and a major master of haikai, the poetic tradition from which haiku developed. Born in Iga into a family of low-ranking samurai, he initially served a local feudal family. After the early death of his friend and teacher, he moved to Edo and established himself as a poet. In 1680 he withdrew to a secluded hut and adopted the name Bashō, meaning “banana plant.” He wrote numerous haikai collections, and two travel diaries record his journeys.