Final answer:
Basho was born into a family that had been of higher status but experienced a decline, reflecting the shifts in aristocratic fortunes and social hierarchy in feudal Japan.
Step-by-step explanation:
Basho was born into a family that formerly held a significant position. This situation is reflective of the historical context of Japan where many families that were once part of the aristocracy experienced a decline in status. We see in the history of Japan, especially during the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate, that powerful samurai families, who were often junior branches of the imperial household, could fall from grace, becoming autonomous families of modest court rank and taking surnames such as Minamoto and Taira. They lived in a society where the court nobility's perception and the centrality of the capital were crucial; being away from the cultural hub in the capital was seen as a form of punishment or ill fate. The significance of cultural and political centers like Kyoto was paramount, and being positioned even a slight distance away could have profound implications on one's social standing and identity.
Even though their power within the system grew, these former aristocrats could also end up with posts away from the center, in what were considered undesirable surroundings. The status of one's family had a profound impact, shaping not just their personal identity but also their place within the socio-political landscape of Japan. This historical account closely signifies the evolving nature of power dynamics in Japan as well as the strict social hierarchy that characterized its feudal system where even the mighty could find themselves in reduced circumstances.