Old Pond

Many scholars agree that “Old Pond” (1686) by Matsuo Bashō is one of the most—if not the most—famous haiku of all time. The term “haiku” translates as “play verse,” and though “Old Pond” appears whimsical and simple—a frog jumping into water and the subsequent splash—Bashō utilizes various literary devices such as key words and onomatopoeia to ensure this three-line poem is both didactic and enjoyable. “Old Pond” is instructional, especially for its use of common haiku tropes like a set syllabic pattern and nature imagery, and enjoyable because there are myriad translations and analyses of this deceptively straightforward poem. This study guide references the translation by Robert Hass, a former US Poet Laureate.

Poet Biography

Bashō (1644-1694) is a Japanese poet famous for his mastery of haiku—a poetic form he helped popularize. Born in the 17th century as Matsuo Kinsaku near what is now Kyoto, Japan, Bashō first became acquainted with literature by serving at Ueno Castle for a minor lord. After leaving Ueno Castle, Bashō studied under the renowned poet Kigin. Around this time, he began exploring Taoism and Chinese poetry and became involved with writing collaborative poetry known as haikai no renga (a popular form of Japanese linked verse); it is from this collaborative poetry that haiku was born.