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Basho

The Complete Haiku of Matsuo Basho
By Basho
Series: World Literature in Translation
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Basho by Basho is a profound exploration of the life and work of the renowned Japanese haiku poet Matsuo Basho. The book offers insights into his poetic philosophy, travels, and deep connection with nature. Through evocative language and vivid imagery, readers are immersed in Basho's spiritual journey and literary legacy.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3399
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate the elegance and simplicity of traditional Japanese haikus. With deep insights into nature and the human experience, it could appeal to those interested in Japanese culture, poetry, and the subtle art of conveying profound thoughts in just a few words.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This is the essential English edition of the complete poems of the eminent Japanese master of the haiku, Matsuo Bashō.

Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) is arguably the greatest figure in the history of Japanese literature and the master of the haiku. Bashō: The Complete Haiku of Matsuo Bashō offers in English a full picture of the haiku of Bashō, 980 poems in all. Andrew Fitzsimons’ translation is the first to adhere strictly to form: all of the poems are translated following the syllabic count of the originals. This book also translates a number of Bashō’s headnotes to poems ignored by previous English-language translators.

In Fitzsimons’ beautiful rendering, Bashō is much more than a philosopher of the natural world and the leading exponent of a refined Japanese sensibility. He is also a poet of queer love and eroticism; of the city as well as the country, the indoors and the outdoors, travel and staying put; of lonesomeness as well as the desire to be alone.

His poetry explores the full range of social experience in Edo Japan as he moved among friends and followers high and low, the elite and the demi-monde, the less fortunate: poor farmers, abandoned children, disregarded elders. Bashō: The Complete Haiku of Matsuo Bashō reveals how this work speaks to our concerns today as much as it captures a Japan emerging from the Middle Ages. For dedicated scholars and those coming upon Bashō for the first time, Fitzsimons’ elegant translation—with an insightful introduction and helpful notes—allows readers to enjoy these works in all their glory.

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    This is the essential English edition of the complete poems of the eminent Japanese master of the haiku, Matsuo Bashō. Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) is arguably the greatest figure in the history of Japanese literature and the master of the haiku. Bashō: The Complete Haiku of Matsuo Bashō offers in English a full picture of the haiku of Bashō, 980 poems...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Basho is praised as a landmark work that offers a fresh perspective on Bashō, depicting him not just as a nature poet but also as a worldly figure. The translations are noted for their authenticity and Zen-like quality, with the skilful work of Fitzsimons bringing new light, beauty, and understanding to Bashō’s haiku, enriching the connection between English readers and Japanese culture.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780520385580

Publisher: University of California Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 October 2022

Country: United States

Imprint: University of California Press

Illustration: 1 table

Contributors:

  • Translated by Andrew Fitzsimons

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 408g

Pages: 472

Collections

Arts & Culture Asian History Basho Biography & Memoir History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Poetry Science & Nature Series: World Literature in Translation

About the Author

Andrew Fitzsimons is Professor of English Language and Cultures at Gakushuin University, Tokyo, and author of The Sea of Disappointment: Thomas Kinsella’s Pursuit of the Real, as well as three books of poetry.

Bashō (1644–1694) is the greatest poet of Japan and one of the major figures of World Literature. His work has inspired haiku to become the most popular poetic form in the world.

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