Bashou is a Pro Hunter who hails from the country of Jappon, the same origin as the ninja Hanzo. His name is a reference to the famous Japanese poet Matsuo Basho, which is fitting given his deep appreciation for haiku, a traditional form of poetry from his homeland. He is a muscular man with a very distinct appearance, most notably a classic pompadour hairstyle with his mustache and sideburns joining together. He is left-handed and is often seen without a shirt, showcasing his toned physique, though he later dons a black suit and tie when serving in a more formal capacity as a royal bodyguard.

In terms of personality, Bashou is quite casual, outgoing, and talkative, possessing a relaxed attitude and a good sense of humor. He has a personal dream of traveling the world on a motorcycle and holds a philosophy of enjoying life to the fullest, believing it is a sin not to do so. While he does not criticize or disapprove of Kurapika's willingness to sacrifice his own feelings and well-being for the sake of revenge, he does not personally identify with that path. He prefers to live life on his own terms. Bashou is confident in his own abilities but is also realistic, able to recognize when he is outmatched, such as when he concluded that he and his fellow bodyguards would have no chance of defeating the Phantom Troupe member Uvogin.

Bashou's primary role in the story begins during the Yorknew City arc, where he is hired as one of the new bodyguards for Neon Nostrade, the daughter of a mafia don. He works alongside Kurapika, Melody, and Baise, and is initially assigned to guard the back entrance of the underground auction. His role continues to evolve significantly later in the series. Following the collapse and restructuring of the Nostrade family, Bashou comes to work under Kurapika. During the Succession Contest arc aboard the Black Whale, he is tasked with a crucial mission as a bodyguard for the seventh prince of the Kakin Empire, Luzurus Hui Guo Rou. In this capacity, his skills and reliability as a Hunter are trusted for the high-stakes environment of the royal succession war.

Bashou's key relationships are primarily professional. He works alongside Kurapika and holds a respectful understanding of him, even if he does not share his grim determination. He often interacts with his fellow bodyguard Melody, who shares his role in protecting Luzurus. His relationship with his employer is one of loyalty and duty, having been selected for the critical job of protecting a prince.

Bashou possesses a unique and highly imaginative Nen ability called Great Haiku Wanderer. As a Conjurer, his ability allows him to write a haiku, and whatever is described in that poem will become a reality. The effectiveness of this power is directly tied to the quality of the poem; a well-written haiku will produce a powerful effect, while a poor one will have a significantly weakened result. The only effects demonstrated so far are related to fire, suggesting that this element may be his primary focus or simply a common theme in his poetry. In a fight, Bashou is also a capable physical combatant, claiming he does not even need Nen to defeat armed men. He is agile, has quick reflexes, and has proven himself a capable Hunter by retrieving rare and illegal items for his employers. He also has a unique hobby of creating his own herbal concoctions, claiming to have developed a recipe for a drug called Clean Leaf that is more effective for heavy smokers.