Analysis Of Basho s Poetry Matsuo Kinsaku And The...

Fike 1 Haley Fike English 102 Mrs. Tesenair 15 March 2017 Imagery in Basho’s Poetry Matsuo Kinsaku, or Basho, is a 17th century Japanese poet known for his haiku and similar haiku variations. He was born in Ueno, Japan in 1644 and died in Osaka, Japan in 1694. Basho was a son of a samurai and intended on becoming one himself until his lord passed away in 1666. Basho’s writing career began after his lord’s death and continued until his own death in 1694. Basho influenced literature the most through his unique haiku (Poetry Foundation). Three of his most famous poems, â€Å"Heat Lightning Streak,† â€Å"The Old Pond,† and â€Å"Ungraciously† illustrate Basho’s style well. Matsuo’s combination of travelling and studies concocted his impeccable haiku form†¦show more content†¦Author Victoria Price accurately describes Matsuo’s style â€Å"The two major aspects of BashÃ… Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s poetic spirit are a high spiritual attainment, on one hand, and a mundane enjoyment of pleasu re in the modern world, on the other. The goal of enlightenment is at the center of spiritual attainment, while enjoyment of the world includes such ideas as plainness and lightness† (Price). Basho’s works vividly illustrate the beauty particularly of Japan and connection between man and nature. â€Å"Heat Lightning Streak†, â€Å"The Old Pond†, and â€Å"Ungraciously† all colorfully paint a picture of nature’s phenomena and compare it to an animal coordinating with it. Similar popular poems by Basho include â€Å"A Bee†, â€Å"A Snowy Morning†, and â€Å"Autumn Moonlight†. These poems all evoke realistic pictures of nature with a meaningful allusion. Basho has an exclusive writing style. His work is primarily identified by the use of imagery and metaphors. Imagery is crucial to poems â€Å"Imagery is the name given to the elements in a poem that spark off the senses,† because it gives life to a poem (The Poetry Ar chive). His works contain a universal message applicable for all or symbolize an occurrence or object. Matsuo’s works often are centered around a Japanese aesthetics sabi, or love of the old (Britannica). Matsuo often uses the basic form for haiku, which is a three line poem with the first Fike 3 line consisting of five syllables, second line with seven syllables, and third line with five