Basho, Matsuo

Born in Akasaka in 1644, is considered the co-founder of the Japanese verse form haiku. His poems reflect the simplicity of his meditative way of life. He imbued many of his verses with a mystical quality and tried to express the great, world-shaking themes through simple images of nature. Instead of pursuing the military career he was destined for, he became a wanderer, studying the path and history of Zen and turning to classical Chinese poetry. Basho died in Osaka on 28 November.