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Matsuo Basho Quotes

Poet

Matsuo Basho was a renowned Japanese poet from the Edo period, hailed as the god of haiku. His poetry is characterized by its simplicity, conciseness, and profound meaning, exerting a profound influence on later generations.

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All Haiku Moon Tree Flower Spring Water World Autumn Fall Frogs Ponds Sound Wind Years Butterfly Cherries Journey Mountain Clouds Ends

Famous Matsuo Basho Quotes

“My body, now close to fifty years of age, has become an old tree that bears bitter peaches, a snail which has lost its shell, a bagworm separated from its bag; it drifts with the winds and clouds that know no destination. Morning and night I have eaten traveler's fare, and have held out for alms a pilgrim's wallet.”

Knows Years Body Age Night Lost Morning Tree Wind Bears Clouds Bitter Fifty Bags Destination Shells Traveler Pilgrim Wallets Peaches Snail Alms Old Trees Morning And Night

Author:Matsuo Basho

“When your consciousness has become ripe in true zazen-pure like clear water, like a serene mountain lake, not moved by any wind-then anything may serve as a medium for realization.”

May Water Consciousness Clear Wind Pure Mountain Moved Mediums Realization Lakes Ripe Serene Clear Water Mountain Lakes

Book:A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and Zen

Source: A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and Zen

“There came a day when the clouds drifting along with the wind aroused a wanderlust in me, and I set off on a journey to roam along the seashores”

Journey Wind Clouds Drifting Seashore

Author:Matsuo Basho

“Winter solitude- in a world of one colour the sound of the wind.”

World Sound Wind Solitude Winter Colour

Author:Matsuo Basho

“When I speak My lips feel cold - The autumn wind.”

Feels Fall Speak Wind Cold Lips Autumn Autumn Wind

Book:Classic Haiku: An Anthology of Poems by Basho and His Followers

Source: Classic Haiku: An Anthology of Poems by Basho and His Followers

“With every gust of wind, the butterfly changes its place on the willow.”

Wind Butterfly

Author:Matsuo Basho

About the Author

Born: 1644
Died: November 28, 1694
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 103

Books & Sources

Narrow Road to the InteriorRelated source material

A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and ZenRelated source material

Classic Haiku: An Anthology of Poems by Basho and His FollowersRelated source material

Basho's Narrow Road: Spring and Autumn PassagesRelated source material

Lips too ChilledRelated source material

On Love and Barley: Haiku of BashoRelated source material

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