The 17th century in Japan, a period often marked by the Edo era, stands out as a golden age of poetry. This time, characterized by relative peace and stability under the Tokugawa shogunate, nurtured the growth of arts and literature, and Japanese poetry blossomed like never before. During this period, poetry not only provided aesthetic enjoyment but also acted as a means of philosophical expression, social commentary, and spiritual introspection. Among the genres that rose to prominence was haikai no renga, later refined into haiku, which crystallized complex emotions and profound themes into a few syllables.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the most famous Japanese poets from the 17th century, delving into their lives, their works, and their contributions to the landscape of Japanese poetry.
Japanese Poets Of The 17th Century
1. Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694)
Matsuo Bashō is undoubtedly the most celebrated poet of the 17th century, revered as the master of haiku. His poetic journey took him through rigorous self-discipline and Zen teachings, infusing his work with a meditative quality. His travelogue The Narrow Road to the Deep North chronicles his pilgrimage through Japan, punctuated by haiku that capture the essence of each locale. Bashō’s work is characterized by a profound connection to nature, transience, and simplicity.
Works: The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Oku no Hosomichi
2. Ihara Saikaku (1642–1693)
A master of the haikai style and a prose writer, Ihara Saikaku is often noted for his comic, sometimes satirical style. His works paint vivid portrayals of Edo society, highlighting the lives of townspeople and merchants. Saikaku’s poetry, known for its wit and perceptiveness, demonstrates the flexibility of haikai in capturing the social and moral nuances of his time.
Works: The Life of an Amorous Man, The Life of an Amorous Woman, various linked-verse poetry
3. Uejima Onitsura (1661–1738)
Onitsura is often regarded as one of the founding fathers of haiku, along with Bashō. Together with Bashō, he shaped the haiku into a refined poetic form. While Bashō’s work was known for its emotional depth, Onitsura’s work often focused on clarity and simplicity, emphasizing honesty and straightforwardness in haiku. His poems reflect a serene, yet powerful connection to nature, making his style distinctive.
Onitsura’s haiku such as:
In the winter wind,
the river keeps its warmth still—
the tea’s scent rises.
This haiku embodies Onitsura’s ability to evoke the warmth of the human spirit amidst the cold of winter, a common metaphor for resilience in Japanese poetry.
4. Onitsura Nishiyama (1660–1738)
Onitsura Nishiyama was a contemporary of Bashō who developed his style of haiku with a strong philosophical underpinning. Known for a distinct clarity and restraint, Onitsura emphasized sincerity and simplicity in his verse. His haiku reveal a deep, sometimes somber, understanding of life’s fleeting moments, aligning closely with the aesthetics of wabi-sabi.
Works: Various haiku collections
5. Takarai Kikaku (1661–1707)
Kikaku, a student of Bashō, was known for his playful and sometimes extravagant style. While he followed Bashō’s teachings, Kikaku introduced a more flamboyant, witty flavor to haiku. His collection, Minashiguri, remains one of the important compilations from the Edo period, filled with poems that exhibit his dexterity with language and his vibrant personality.
Works: Minashiguri (Collection of Chestnuts)
6. Sampu Sugiyama (1647–1732)
Sampu Sugiyama was both a wealthy merchant and an ardent disciple of Bashō. His work often celebrated the seasons and the landscapes of Japan with refined simplicity. Sampu’s haiku are praised for their restraint and elegance, adhering to the spirit of yugen (subtlety and mystery).
Many of Sampu’s haiku are preserved in Bashō’s travel journals and in anthologies. His style is often marked by simplicity and elegance, as seen in lines like:
The evening blossoms—
their gentle fragrance lingers
as the night grows still.
This captures the essence of a single, quiet moment, a hallmark of Sampu’s poetic approach.
7. Hattori Ransetsu (1654–1707)
As one of Bashō’s ten disciples, Ransetsu developed a distinctive style characterized by introspective and somewhat dark imagery. His haiku often explored themes of loneliness, hardship, and the human condition, deviating from the lighter tones often found in haikai.
Ransetsu’s haiku include:
The mountain’s shadow
falls over the silent lake,
day bows to night.
This haiku demonstrates his ability to depict nature’s transitions with a sense of peaceful acceptance. Ransetsu’s poetry is often quiet yet profound, reflecting his deep connection to the natural world.
8. Hokushi (1665–1718)
Hokushi, a female haikai poet, was known for her playful yet insightful works. Her unique perspective as one of the few women poets of the time allowed her to bring fresh themes and nuances into the male-dominated world of haikai.
Her haiku often dealt with domestic themes or whimsical observations of nature, as seen in this verse:
Little snail,
inch by inch, climb
Mount Fuji!
This lighthearted haiku showcases her ability to blend humor with a profound sense of determination.
9. Mizuta Masahide
Mizuta Masahide was a distinguished student of the famous poet Matsuo Bashō and contributed greatly to the development of haiku. His poems often reflect a Zen Buddhist perspective, showing acceptance of life’s natural cycles.
Masahide is known for a poignant haiku that reflects his acceptance of loss:
Since my house burned down,
I now own a better view
of the rising moon.
This haiku demonstrates his Zen-inspired ability to find beauty even in tragedy, a quality that helped define the poetic sensitivity of his time.
10. Hanabusa Itchō
Hanabusa Itchō was both a painter and a poet, known for his unique style blending humor with poignancy. As a multifaceted artist, Itchō’s haikai and haiku reflected his artistic perception, capturing vivid scenes of everyday life with wit.
Though he primarily created haiga (paintings that incorporate haiku), Itchō’s poetry displays humor and sharp wit, often using satire to critique society. His light-hearted haiku complemented his illustrations, embodying the Japanese idea of iki, or refined, stylish simplicity.
Conclusion
The 17th century Japan poets left an indelible mark on Japanese literature and continue to inspire the art of haiku worldwide. Their works embody the transient beauty of nature, the subtlety of emotions, and the profound simplicity that define Japanese aesthetics. Through their words, readers gain glimpses into the landscapes, lives, and spirits of an era where poetry was both a refined art and a way of life.
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