Bashō-Inspired Student Poetry

Several weeks ago, our pilgrimage class took a close look at the travels and poetry of Matsuo Bashō, as presented in one of his most famous works, Oku no Hosomichi 奥の細道, or “The Narrow Road to the Interior."  We had a great discussion and some thoughtful reflection on what is one of the most important works of Japanese literature. For Bashō, meaningful travel represents the highest form of religious expression, and his heroes are those who similarly found truth, beauty, and artistic inspiration on the road, including Saigyō, Kūkai, Ennogyōja, and the Chinese poet Li Bai.  Likewise, the monk-like poet furthered this literary continuum of Buddha-wanderers by inspiring so many who came afterwards, even American Buddhists such as Robert Aitken and Gary Snyder. 

My students likewise found inspiration in Bashō’s prose and haiku. I am delighted to be able to share some of their poetry with their permission.
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Japanese Hipster
Pays for everthing with poems
His name is Bashō

Unbelievable 
Beauty and poetry combine
Time to write a Poem! 

                                                   Will Stark © 2011
______________________________________________________静かなり
風のみ動く
気長まつ。　　　　　　　　　　
                                                  Ryan Chancoco                                                        ______________________________________________________
Camera, useless
Impossible to capture
Stone foxes tread here

                                                    Saranhais Zerpa

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長道に
空を見て、言う
今ただいま

                                                             Anonymous Seeker
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Next Spring, Next Summer, Next Fall, Next Winter.

Although time goes by, ancient people are still with us.

                                                               Kang Dong Yun
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To experience 
All the glory of Japan
First you must leave home

If you wish to write
A poem from scratch. You must first
Create the Universe 

                                                                 Will Stark © 2011
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秋の夜の病に秋風心地良い。

An Autumn night, the autumn wind blew away my sickness.  

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Jinno Natsuyo
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秋空に
映える朱の門
伏見かな

Fushimi’s vermillion gates are harmonized with the autumn sky.

                                                           Asamoto Maasa

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