Faith in Japanese Poetry: An Islamic Interpretation of Morality in Matsuo Bashô’s Death Haiku

Abstract

Matsuo Bashô’s Death Haiku is one of the most sorrowful yet beautifully created Haiku poems. The poet is a prominent Haiku master who played a significant role in the growth of Haiku poetry internationally. Bashō was a pious poet who tends to incorporate several Buddhist themes into his literary works. Although religions vary, all religious doctrines call for morality. Nevertheless, there have been lots of criticisms and misconceptions of the stand of Islam on poetry. While some critics perceive Islam as a restrictive religion that prohibits all forms of poetry, research shows that all kinds of poetry aiming to develop a morally healthy society are acceptable in Islam. Therefore, this study sought to provide a systematic analysis of religious morality in Matsuo Bashō’s Death Haiku from an Islamic viewpoint. The current study corroborates evidence from Quranic verses and Hadith (prophetic traditions) through an inductive-analytical technique to explore the elements of morality in the selected Haiku poetry. The analysis revealed that religious values entrenched in the selected poem can be brought close to Islamic viewpoints on spreading knowledge, good deeds, benevolence, and the purpose of life. The hidden meaning of the poem dramatizes Bashō’s spiritual journey concerning morality in the literary world. By reinterpreting Bashō’s Death Haiku through the lens of Islam, this study provides evidence that poetry is a potential platform to promote religious values rather than a dispiriting practice.