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Birth
Matsuo Basho, born Matsuo Kinsaku, is born near Ueno, Iga Province (modern-Mie), Japan to a lower-class samurai family. Exact date of birth is unknown. -
Service to Todo Yoshitada
In childhood, Basho came into the service of Todo Yoshitada, a local lord's son, after the death of his father. He lived alongside the other boy in Ueno Castle. Yoshitada sparked and nurtured Basho's love for literature and poetry at this young age, though the master himself was a mere 2 years older than Basho. The lord's son urged Basho to take up writing in haikai no renga, which was a new style that became the base of modern haiku forms. -
First poem published
Basho was still under the service of Yoshitada when he published his first poem. -
First collection of poems is published
Basho's first collection, a set of two poems (hokku) printed together, is published. -
Basho leaves Ueno
After the death of Yoshitada in 1666, Basho, for no definite reason, dropped his status as samurai and left Ueno. Some speculated reasons include his possible love for a priestess (miko) of Shinto or to explore his curiosity of homosexuality. Basho spent some time during and after 1666 debating whether or not to pursue a career in poetry or in the government. The problem with poetry was that it wasn't highly regarded in Japan. Still, his poems continued to be published during this time. -
Basho moves to Edo
Basho moved to Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to further study haiku among other excellent poets. -
"Seashell Game" is published
"Seashell Game" is a collection of poems by Basho, as well as other poets from the Teitoku school -
Matsuo changes name
This is when Matsuo Basho officially adopted the name Basho. It is in honor of the gift of basho trees from a student of his. The gift was to celebrate the house that Basho's students built for him. Exact date is unknown. -
"A Shriveled Chestnut" is published
Another major compilation of poems that is one of Basho's most famous collections. -
New House
After a fire destroys the community, including Basho's house, Basho's students build him a new one. -
Period: to
Traveling
Basho began a 2-year journey in 1684 throughout Japan to garner inspiration for his haikus. He visited many cities and towns during this period of travel, including Ueno, Kashima, Sarashina, north Honshu, and Kyoto. Basho stopped by his home in Tokyo periodically during this time. -
New House: Tokyo
After spending some time in Ueno in 1690, Basho moved back to Tokyo in 1691. One year later, his disciples built him a new house in the city. -
Death
While traveling to Ueno, despite his ill health, Basho passes away while on the road in Osaka. He is buried on the Gichu Temple grounds near Zeze on Lake Biwa. Death date may also be 28 November 1694.
