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Best Famous Matsuo Basho Poems

Here is a collection of the all-time best famous Matsuo Basho poems. This is a select list of the best famous Matsuo Basho poetry. Reading, writing, and enjoying famous Matsuo Basho poetry (as well as classical and contemporary poems) is a great past time. These top poems are the best examples of matsuo basho poems.

Search and read the best famous Matsuo Basho poems, articles about Matsuo Basho poems, poetry blogs, or anything else Matsuo Basho poem related using the PoetrySoup search engine at the top of the page.

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Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

In the twilight rain

In the twilight rain
these brilliant-hued hibiscus . . .
A lovely sunset


Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

From time to time

From time to time
The clouds give rest
To the moon-beholders.
Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

An old silent pond..

An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again. 
Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

Autumn moonlight

 Autumn moonlight--
 a worm digs silently
 into the chestnut.
Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

First winter rain

 First winter rain--
even the monkey
 seems to want a raincoat.


Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

The old pond

 Following are several translations
of the 'Old Pond' poem, which may be
the most famous of all haiku:

Furuike ya 
kawazu tobikomu 
mizu no oto

 -- Basho



Literal Translation

Fu-ru (old) i-ke (pond) ya, 
ka-wa-zu (frog) to-bi-ko-mu (jumping into) 
mi-zu (water) no o-to (sound)






 The old pond--
a frog jumps in,
 sound of water.
Translated by Robert Hass Old pond.
.
.
a frog jumps in water's sound.
Translated by William J.
Higginson An old silent pond.
.
.
A frog jumps into the pond, splash! Silence again.
Translated by Harry Behn There is the old pond! Lo, into it jumps a frog: hark, water's music! Translated by John Bryan The silent old pond a mirror of ancient calm, a frog-leaps-in splash.
Translated by Dion O'Donnol old pond frog leaping splash Translated by Cid Corman Antic pond-- frantic frog jumps in-- gigantic sound.
Translated by Bernard Lionel Einbond MAFIA HIT MAN POET: NOTE FOUND PINNED TO LAPEL OF DROWNED VICTIM'S DOUBLE-BREASTED SUIT!!! 'Dere wasa dis frogg Gone jumpa offa da logg Now he inna bogg.
' -- Anonymous Translated by George M.
Young, Jr.
Old pond leap -- splash a frog.
Translated by Lucien Stryck The old pond, A frog jumps in:.
Plop! Translated by Allan Watts The old pond, yes, and A frog is jumping into The water, and splash.
Translated by G.
S.
Fraser
Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

A bee

 A bee
staggers out
 of the peony.
Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

Four Haiku

 Spring:
A hill without a name
Veiled in morning mist.
The beginning of autumn: Sea and emerald paddy Both the same green.
The winds of autumn Blow: yet still green The chestnut husks.
A flash of lightning: Into the gloom Goes the heron's cry.
Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

In the cicada's cry

In the cicada's cry
No sign can foretell
How soon it must die. 
Written by Matsuo Basho | Create an image from this poem

A monk sips morning tea

 A monk sips morning tea,
it's quiet,
 the chrysanthemum's flowering.

Book: Shattered Sighs