The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches (Paperback)

Matsuo Basho

ISBN 10: 0140441859 / ISBN 13: 9780140441857

Published by Penguin Books Ltd, London, 2005

About this Item

Paperback. Basho's beautifully-written and closely observed descriptions of his travels in JapanIn his perfectly crafted haiku poems, Basho described the natural world with great simplicity and delicacy of feeling. When he composed The Narrow Road to the Deep North he was a serious student of Zen Buddhism setting off on a series of travels designed to strip away the trappings of the material world and bring spiritual enlightenment. He wrote of the seasons changing, of the smell of the rain, the brightness of the moon and the beauty of the waterfall, through which he sensed the mysteries of the universe. These travel writings not only chronicle Basho's perilous journeys through Japan, but they also capture his vision of eternity in the transient world around him Presents travel writings which chronicle the author's perilous journeys through Japan and also capture his vision of eternity in the transient world around him. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780140441857

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches (Paperback)
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd, London
• Publication Date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140441859
• ISBN 13: 9780140441857
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

'It was with awe
That I beheld
Fresh leaves, green leaves,
Bright in the sun'

When the Japanese haiku master Basho composed The Narrow Road to the Deep North, he was an ardent student of Zen Buddhism, setting off on a series of travels designed to strip away the trappings of the material world and bring spiritual enlightenment. He writes of the seasons changing, the smell of the rain, the brightness of the moon and the beauty of the waterfall, through which he sensed the mysteries of the universe. These writings not only chronicle Basho's travels, but they also capture his vision of eternity in the transient world around him.

Translated with an Introduction by Nobuyuki Yuasa

About the Author

Matsuo Basho (Author)
Matsuo Basho, the Japanese poet and diarist, was born in Iga-ueno near Kyoto in 1644. He began to write verse while studying as the companion of the son of the local lord, and continued to write when he moved to Edo (now Tokyo) in 1667. He eventually became a recluse, and on his travels relied on the hospitality of temples and fellow poets. His work was much influenced by Zen Buddhism.

Nobuyuki Yuasa (Translator)
Nobuyuki Yuasa taught English at the University of Hiroshima.