The Narrow Road

A lively new translation of "the greatest of all Japanese books of spiritual wandering" (Robert Hass).

In the spring of 1689, Basho set off from Tokyo on a now-famous pilgrimage: this epic walk, spanning about 1500 miles, took him to the deep north of Honshu, and then back along the island’s western coast and finally down to Lake Biwa. Along his route he encountered friends and fellow travelers, the changing seasons and terrains, renowned sites (temples, waterfalls, landmarks), a few perils, and many enthralling moments of total peace, delight, beauty, and introspection.

Basho—Zen Buddhist, ardent walker, master of the haiku—follows the calling of the road, finding incredible joy in his freedom and drinking in brief glimmers of transient perfection.

1148479930
The Narrow Road

A lively new translation of "the greatest of all Japanese books of spiritual wandering" (Robert Hass).

In the spring of 1689, Basho set off from Tokyo on a now-famous pilgrimage: this epic walk, spanning about 1500 miles, took him to the deep north of Honshu, and then back along the island’s western coast and finally down to Lake Biwa. Along his route he encountered friends and fellow travelers, the changing seasons and terrains, renowned sites (temples, waterfalls, landmarks), a few perils, and many enthralling moments of total peace, delight, beauty, and introspection.

Basho—Zen Buddhist, ardent walker, master of the haiku—follows the calling of the road, finding incredible joy in his freedom and drinking in brief glimmers of transient perfection.

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Overview

A lively new translation of "the greatest of all Japanese books of spiritual wandering" (Robert Hass).

In the spring of 1689, Basho set off from Tokyo on a now-famous pilgrimage: this epic walk, spanning about 1500 miles, took him to the deep north of Honshu, and then back along the island’s western coast and finally down to Lake Biwa. Along his route he encountered friends and fellow travelers, the changing seasons and terrains, renowned sites (temples, waterfalls, landmarks), a few perils, and many enthralling moments of total peace, delight, beauty, and introspection.

Basho—Zen Buddhist, ardent walker, master of the haiku—follows the calling of the road, finding incredible joy in his freedom and drinking in brief glimmers of transient perfection.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780811240567
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation
Publication date: 06/02/2026
Pages: 96
Product dimensions: 4.50(w) x 7.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) was the most famous Japanese poet of the Edo period. Basho’s works have greatly influenced generations of poets and artists, including Ezra Pound and the Imagists, J.D. Salinger, the Beats, Yasunari Kawabata, and Octavio Paz.

Meredith McKinney is an award-winning translator of classical and modern Japanese literature, including works by Sei Shonagon and Natsume Soseki.

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