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

‘You will not be able to accomplish anything unless you bring your deepest devotion to it.’ Matsuo Bashōīashō traverses idyllic scenes of cherry blossoms, fishing huts, misty mountains, rice-fields, grass-moors, and waterfalls, all with the companionship of his disciples, priests, fellow poets and, of course, his pen. It just goes to show that some feelings are universal in nature – perhaps a comforting realisation.īrimming with gorgeous landscapes and pearls of wisdom this literary work is driven by an understated energy – perhaps reflecting the thoughtful mind of a Zen Buddhist. They felt oddly relatable considering where I live is three centuries and 5700 miles apart.

I particularly appreciated reading Bashō’s thoughts and feelings. Paradoxically, Bashō’s prose reads more like a journal or diary where the self is very much present.ĭescribing himself as a ‘wind-swept spirit’ and referring to a ‘fretful feeling’ of missing out, those who like to travel will easily recognise his feelings of wanderlust. The objective of Haiku was to search for artistic truth by removing the self from the objects and scenes described. However for purposes of translation the Haiku in the English edition is presented in lines of four.įirst published posthumously in 1702, The Narrow Road to the Deep North is considered one of the great literary works from Japan’s Edo period.īashō first set foot in the North of Japan in 1684 and documented his travels with a combination of poetry and prose, known as Haibu.

While intended for seasoned poetry lovers, The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Matsuo Bashō (1644 – 1694) is also a fascinating introduction to the classic Japanese art of Haiku.įor those unfamiliar with Haiku, it tends to follow a rigid structure of three lines with 5 – 7 – 5 syllables. However, I have an appreciation for the likes of Edward Thomas, Emily Dickinson and, now it seems, I also have room for Bashō.

I sometimes find the reading experience a little inaccessible and have alas always preferred the novel. I should probably admit I am not naturally drawn to poetry.

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