A flute with no holes is not a flute.
MATSUO BASHOA flute with no holes is not a flute.
MATSUO BASHOYear by year, the monkey’s mask reveals the monkey.
MATSUO BASHODon’t imitate me / we are not two halves / of a muskmelon.
MATSUO BASHOThis autumn- why am I growing old? bird disappearing among clouds.
MATSUO BASHOI felt quite at home, / As if it were mine sleeping lazily / In this house of fresh air.
MATSUO BASHOGo to the pine if you want to learn about the pine, or to the bamboo if you want to learn about the bamboo. And in doing so, you must leave your subjective preoccupation with yourself. Otherwise you impose yourself on the object and you do not learn.
MATSUO BASHOFarewell, my old fan. / Having scribbled on it, / What could I do but tear it / At the end of summer?
MATSUO BASHOFelling a tree and gazing at the cut end – tonight’s moon.
MATSUO BASHOLearn the rules, and then forget them.
MATSUO BASHOYear’s end, all corners of this floating world, swept.
MATSUO BASHOThere is nothing you can see that is not a flower; there is nothing you can think that is not the moon.
MATSUO BASHOThe oak tree: not interested in cherry blossoms.
MATSUO BASHOCalm and serene The sound of a cicada Penetrates the rock.
MATSUO BASHOHe who creates three to five haiku poems during a lifetime is a haiku poet. He who attains to completes ten is a master.
MATSUO BASHOWhen your consciousness has become ripe in true zazen-pure like clear water, like a serene mountain lake, not moved by any wind-then anything may serve as a medium for realization.
MATSUO BASHOI am one who eats breakfast gazing at morning glories.
MATSUO BASHO