At CryptoAnime, we aspire to combine NFT's with storytelling in ways that enhance the value of both. With that in mind, we wanted to share this post devoted to a project in development. We call it CryptoBashō and we're excited by its potential to make the NFT into something that not only offers financial value but also artistic enrichment to its owner.

Think about what art is for a moment. It's a form of expression that can add beauty and meaning to our lives. If you are an artist, its value extends even further. Finding success with the art you create can transform the way you live: it can open up new opportunities you would not have imagined possible, allowing you to follow a path that lives up to your vision of what life can offer.

Consider the example of Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉, 1644 – November 28, 1694), the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. He was born into a society where the caste you were assigned at birth determined the rest of your life. He stood apart from the pack by quietly pushing back on that prescribed destiny, following his love of haiku to find success as a poet. When his initial success didn't bring him peace of mind, he turned to traveling and combined that with his poetry to give it new life. This artist success continued to develop and he became a mentor to young poets inspired by his work.

Sadly, things haven't changed much for the artistically inclined since the days of Bashō. Art is often seen as a frivolous pastime that can only be afforded by the idle rich and if one don't live near a major cultural center, gifted amateurs are often discouraged from pursuing their passion. As a result, the world becomes smaller and colder when it is denied the dreams and visions of those who are forced to abandon artistic expression.

What if we took the example of Matsuo Bashō and carried it into the 21st century? Art never dies and the same can be said of the artist's spirit. While his mortal shell may have come to its end, the creative force that drove him never ended its journey. Imagine Bashō reborn as a digital avatar, following his wandering muse into corners of the world often ignored by the artistic centers, particularly Africa and the Far East.

This manga-inspired digital rebirth will delve into the worlds of crypto and NFT's. It would be easy for Bashō to find a home on the Cardano network. Its creators are already utilizing his name and image to represent their next phase of development. His spirit could give be the source for multiple NFT's, allowing his artistry to take a variety of paths through 21st century life. Along their travels, these tokens enrich the lives of those they come in contact with, not only generating financial value but offering a venue for new artistic expression.

These are the ideas that drive CryptoBashō. It's NFTs will incorporate original manga-inspired art by unheralded talents from oft-ignored parts of the world, and classic haiku penned by Matsuo Bashō along with the hanko seal-style qr-code. The NFT owners will not only include investors and collectors but also artists: a percentage of the NFTs will be gifted to rising artists from the EMEA region (Europe, the Far East, and Africa). All will be invited to create original narratives and art for their CryptoBashō NFT's.

The community formed around this NFT collection will become an incubator for talents that Bashō discovers, allowing them to not only find professional opportunities but directly earn a percentage from the art they contribute to the narrative. NFT owners will also uncover new opportunities to participate in. The most noteworthy of these opportunities will be the chance to share in the proceeds from new anime and manga productions through CryptoBashō's sibling NFT venture, CryptoAnime.

Art is a lifetime pursuit for artists, one that involves a search for inspiration and kindred spirits. Join CryptoBashō on his journey and you will see the world through an artistic lens, discovering beauty and meaning beyond your dreams.

The first ten (10) CryptoBashō NFTs have been minted and live in the FIBO NFT marketplace by Emurgo. Please come meet them.

For the latest announcements, updates, and discussions, visit the project's Twitter and Discord.