Haiku

No Title

By: Matsuo Basho

(poem from haiku-poetry.org)

In the twilight rain
these brilliant-hued hibiscus -
A lovely sunset

Biographical Information

      The 17th-century Japanese haiku master Basho was born Matsuo Kinsaku near Kyoto, Japan, to a minor samurai and his wife. Soon after the poet’s birth, Japan closed its borders, beginning a seclusion that allowed its native culture to flourish. It is believed that Basho’s siblings became farmers, while Basho, at Ueno Castle in the service of the local lord’s son, grew interested in literature. After the young lord’s early death, Basho left the castle and moved to Kyoto, where he studied with Kigin, a distinguished local poet. During these early years Basho studied Chinese poetry and Taoism, and soon began writing haikai no renga, a form of linked verses composed in collaboration.

      The opening verse of a renga, known as hokku, is structured as three unrhymed lines of five, seven, and five syllables. In Basho’s time, poets were beginning to take the hokku’s form as a template for composing small standalone poems engaging natural imagery, a form that eventually became known as haiku. Basho was a master of the form. He published his haiku under several names, including Tosei, or “Green Peach,” out of respect for the Chinese poet Li Po, whose name translates to “White Plum.” 

   His most well-known haibun, Oku no Hosomichi, or Narrow Road to the Interior, recounts the last long walk Basho completed with his disciple Sora—1,200 miles covered over five months beginning in May 1689. Basho revised his final haibun until shortly before his death in 1694. It was first published in 1702, and hundreds of editions have since been published in several languages.

(biographical information from poetryfoundation.org)

Explanation of Technique

       A haiku is a short poem that contains three lines. However, there is a rule for the three lines. The first and last lines of the poem have to contain five syllables and the second line must contain seven syllables. Haiku poems originated in Japan. The first three masters of this type of poem were Basho, Buson, and Issa. Matsuo Basho's poem above is a haiku, because each line of the poem follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.

Interpretation of Poem

       In this haiku, Matsuo Basho describes seeing beautiful and color hibiscus flowers while looking at a sunset. The message behind this poem Basho probably wants the reader to see is to sometimes look around you and take in everything fascinating the Earth has to offer. Also, to take in the flowers, trees, clouds, sunset, etc. This can give you a chance to relax from the things you may be facing.

(picture from en.wikipedia.org)

Visual Explanation

      The picture above is a hibiscus flower. This was flower that Basho was talking about in his haiku. The hibiscus flower in Basho's haiku represents all of the stunning things on Earth. Also, the flower can represent relaxing.