The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches by Matsuo Bashō

Fortunately, he traveled for most of the way with fellow poet Sora, whose more factual diary has allowed the reconstruction of the route.

When reading Basho's work, it is important to note that he takes more than a few poetic liberties with the exact route chosen and the sights seen. Well aware of the dangers awaiting him, Basho fully expected to never return, selling his house and preparing a will.

In Basho's day, the land of Oku (奥), literally 'Within', was the back of beyond in Japan, where farmers eked out a meager living and bandits and hermits roamed in the mountains. One of the most famous travelogues ever, the Narrow Road continues to inspire Japanese art and visitors to Tohoku, and each of the places Basho visited continues to revere his poems and observations. His art reached its greatest form during his five-month trip to the Deep North in 1689, during which he wrote his masterpiece The Narrow Road to the Deep North developing his concept of sabi, the identification of man with natural beauty.īasho died in 1694 shortly after leaving Kyoto on another trip, and is buried in the town of Otsu.

Tired with a sedentary life, in 1684 he embarked on the first of his many trips, traveling to Mount Fuji and Ise. Statue of Basho, Hiraizumi 古池や ( Furuike ya) 蛙飛び込む ( Kawazu tobikomu) 水の音 ( Mizu no oto) An old pond! A frog jumps in- the sound of water.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches by Matsuo Bashō