Matsuo Bashou

Matsuo Bashou born then Matsuo Chemon Munefusa was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. During his lifetime Bash was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form today after centuries of commentary he is recognized as the greatest master of haiku then called hokku. Matsuo Bashs poetry is internationally renowned and in Japan many of his poems are reproduced on monuments and traditional sites. Although Bash is justifiably famous in the West for his hokku he himself believed his best work lay in leading and participating in renku. He is quoted as saying Many of my followers can write hokku as well as I can. Where I show who I really am is in linking haikai verses. Source: Wikipedia