The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches

By Matsuo Bashō, translated with an introduction by Nobuyuki Yuasa

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

When renowned haiku master Matsuo Bashō composed The Narrow Road to the Deep North, he was setting off on a series of travels to bring spiritual enlightenment. A student of Zen Buddhism he wanted to remove himself from the material world and see the true beauty of nature - the seasons changing, the smell of rain, the light of the moon. This collection of poems and writings chronicle his travels and reflections on the beauty of the world around him.