In this Wayfaring Poet Profile, we explore the life and a few of the verses of Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694). We discuss a range of topics in this episode including haiku poetry, haibun travel writing, the influence of Taoism, Shinto animism, and Zen on his path, the inspiration he drew from certain Wayfarers that preceded him, and some of his unique experiences that hint at the phenomenon of the dreambody — a concept first coined by Jungian-trained consciousness explorer Arnold Mindell.

With gratitude to all of the translators who have brought forth their own unique perspectives and understandings of Bashō.

BOOKS

The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson, & Issa, edited by Robert Hass

Narrow Road to the Interior and Other Writings, translated by Sam Hamill

Basho: The Complete Haiku, translated, annotated and introduction by Jane Reichhold

The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches, translated by Nobuyuki Yuasa

A Zen Wave: Basho’s Haiku and Zen, by Robert Aitken

The Essential Basho, translated by Sam Hamill

Basho’s Journey: The Literary Prose of Matsuo Basho, translated by David Landis Barnhill

The Master Haiku Poet: Matsuo Basho, translated with commentary by Makoto Ueda

The Art of Haiku: Its History Through Poems and Paintings, by Stephen Addiss

On Haiku, by Hiroaki Sato

The Essential Chuang Tzu, translated by Sam Hamill and J.P. Seaton

HAIKU: The Last Poetry of Richard Wright, introduction by Julia Wright

Descended From A Travel-Worn Satchel: Haiku and Haibun, by Chris La Tray

SOUNDSCAPES

Emergence / Bushido (Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos and Nori Akagi)

Mesmer / Roy Mattson

Music of the Smoky Rainbow / Roy Mattson

Watching Sunlight Fall Through Crowns of Trees / Lougi Verona

Tactile Ground / Robert Rich

Shingetsu / “Namu Amida Butsu” / Bronwyn Kirkpatrick

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