松島やああ松島や松島や
matsushima ya aa matsushima ya matsushima ya


matsushima
aaah! matsushima
matsushima...
—Basho


(Tr. David LaSpina)

_{("Spring Rain at Matsushima" by Koitsu Tsuchiya)}

This is a silly haiku, but it is very commonly given as one from Basho, so I thought I might cover it. In fact if you visit Matsushima you will find this haiku on display in a public space, and it is printed on much tourist info for the place.

It is kind of an attractive haiku, giving us the picture that Basho was so lost for words at the beauty he saw that all he could do was utter the name again and again. Most of us have probably been it situations like that before, so we can relate.

There is no evidence he actually wrote it, however. It doesn't appear in any of his known work and in fact didn't start appearing until the 19th century. Among haiku scholars, it is thought to have been written by a satirical poet named Tawarabo.

Why does it keep being associated with Basho then? Well, I imagine the area itself embracing the haiku as his has a lot to do with it. Also, Basho is such a giant name in Japan, just putting his name on anything results in a higher prestige. Another factor is that Basho was known for his love of Matsushima. Finally, it is quite simple and memorable.

It may not an especially good haiku, but it is a fun one, one you are likely to see pop up if you ever seek out any Basho haiku. So go ahead and memorize it and maybe you can impress someone. ;)

Matsushima itself really is a beautiful place. It is considered one of the three most beautiful places in Japan in fact. Anyone who has visited it can understand why the old poet liked the place so much.

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Don't miss other great haiku in the Haiku of Japan series!

#1–10 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #1
#11–20 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #2
#21–30 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #3
#31—40 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #4
#41–50 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #5
#51—60 — Haiku of Japan :: Collection #6
#61 — Turncoat Umbrella
#62 — Ten Autumns
#63 — Scattering Leaves
#64 — Gravekeeper
#65 — To Kill an Ant
#66 — Frosty Rose

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I post one photo everyday, as well as a haiku and as time allows, videos, more Japanese history, and so on. Let me know if there is anything about Japan you would like to know more about or would like to see.

Who is David?
	David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time.