Matsuo Bashō
Japanese · 1644–1694
The most celebrated poet of the Edo period, who elevated haiku to a refined literary art form and infused his travel writings with Zen simplicity and depth.
Wikipedia ↗“古池や蛙飛びこむ水の音”
日本語
“An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond – splash! Silence again.”
The Old Pond ↗ (1686)
“夏草や兵どもが夢の跡”
日本語
“Summer grasses — / all that remains / of warriors' dreams.”
“月日は百代の過客にして、行きかふ年もまた旅人なり。”
日本語
“Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.”
“古人の跡を求めず、古人の求めたるところを求めよ”
日本語
“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.”