During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as the greatest master of haiku (then called hokku).
Gjatë jetës së tij, Basho u njoh për veprat e tij në bashkëpunimin e haikai, asnjë formë renga; Sot, pas shekujsh komentesh, ai njihet si mjeshtri më i madh i haikut (i quajtur pastaj hokku).