The Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō didn’t just write haiku but transformed a whole genre of poetry.
In this video, we explore how Bashō turned a playful poetic form into one of the most refined expressions of Japanese literature. Through travel, Zen-influenced aesthetics, and an intense attention to the fleeting moments of everyday life, Bashō reshaped haiku into a form of poetry that is one of the most profound and beautiful you might ever come across.
We’ll look at the historical origins of Waka, Renga and Haiku, see Bashō reacted to earlier conventions, and why his poems about frogs, roads, seasons, and solitude still resonate more than 300 years later.
If you’ve ever wondered how just a few lines can capture an entire world, Bashō is the place to start.
Check out my other videos through my playlists:
Fantasy & Science Fiction: • Fantasy & Science Fiction Literature
Gothic & Romantic Literature: • Gothic & Romantic Literature
Literary Theory: • Literary Theory
Japanese Literature: • Japanese Literature
About this channel
I am Laura, a PhD student of Comparative Literature in Germany. I make videos on gothic literature, classic literature such as the origins of modern fantasy and sci-fi stories in ancient and medieval times and sometimes videos on literary theory.
Video chapters
0:00 Intro
0:40 Basho’s early life
4:00 History of Haiku
10:40 Basho’s frog haiku
14:08 The genre of haibun
16:39 Conclusion
Sources:
Info & Translations of Poems by Noboyuki Yuasa in the Penguin Edition of The Narrow Road to the Deep North & Other Travel Writings by Matsuo Basho
Music by “https://pixabay.com/users/u_98673jp94…” from “https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link…” on Pixabay
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