Buson

Buson, commonly known as Yosa Buson (与謝蕪村), was a Japanese poet and painter of the Edo period. Born circa 1716 and died circa 1784, he is regarded as one of the great masters of haiku and a pioneer of haiga, the fusion of painting and poetry.

In poetry, Buson produced a large body of haiku noted for vivid natural imagery, precise observation, and restrained emotion. He often used seasonal words (kigo) to anchor his verse in the natural world and contributed to the development of haiku through his clear, painterly approach to scene and moment.

In painting, Buson practiced an ink-and-wash style and created numerous haiga works that paired his poetry with accompanying images. His subjects frequently included landscapes, birds, flowers, and other natural subjects, rendered with a delicate, refined touch that complemented his poetic sensibility. He traveled across Japan, drawing on regional scenes and motifs to enrich both his verse and his paintings.

Buson’s work helped shape late Edo-period haiku and influenced later poets and artists who sought to blend literature with visual art. His haiga and haiku remain important for understanding the integration of image and verse in Japanese art. Today, his works are held in major museums and collections, and he is regularly studied in courses on Japanese literature and art.