Ni Chigetsu

Background

Ni Chigetsu was born in Yamashiro, Usa (near Kyoto).

Education

She was a disciple of Basho Matsuo, the great haiku poet. She and Sonojo were well-known as women disciples of Basho.

Career

To continue the family business, she adapted her younger brother Otokuni who was a pupil of the Shomon group around Matsuo Basho. She came to know Basho and often invited him after 1689. She had a very friendly relationship with Basho, altough he was about 10 years younger than her, and she looked after him while he stayed on Otsu. She was one of the contributors for the anthology Monkey's Raincoat", "Sarumino" .Basho handed her a copy of his verse collection "The Record of the Unreal Hermitage", when he had to leave for Edo and she wanted a keepsake from him. She also performed services at his grave.

Connections

Brother:

Otokuni

husband:

Kawai Saemon

He was a ship agent for flat-bottoned barges in Otsu, but he died in 1686. His wife became a nun.

Friend:

Basho