This, explains Daisetsu T. Suzuki (1870-1966) in ¡°Zen and Japanese Culture,¡± is how Â鶹´«Ã½ most famous haiku came to be written:
Matsuo Basho (1644-94), samurai-born but a rootless wanderer most of his life, was a deep student of Zen. One day his Zen master Butcho paid him a visit at ¡°home¡± ¡ª a ¡°broken cottage¡± by the Sumida River in Edo (present-day Tokyo). ¡°How are you getting on?¡± the master inquired.
¡°After the recent rain the moss has grown greener than ever,¡± replied Basho.
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