Special Exhibition: Bashō's Surroundings and Shōmon – Bashō and the Edo Haikai World –
Dates: April 11 (Fri) – June 16 (Mon), 2025
(Closed: April 23, May 28)
In the early Edo period, soon after Bashō emerged as a haikai master, he brought a new spirit to the Edo haikai world and significantly influenced the haikai of his time. Furthermore, Bashō succeeded in elevating haikai, which had been a linguistic game, to the realm of art.
This exhibition introduces Bashō's haikai, along with haikai masters like Kitamura Kigin who influenced Bashō, friends like Sodō, and other people around Bashō. By introducing the works of the “Shōmon” (Bashō’s disciples) who honed their skills under him, we explore the appeal and influence of Edo haikai during Bashō’s active period.