In 'Narrow Road to the Interior,' Matsuo Basho takes readers on a profound journey through the landscapes of Japan and the intricacies of the human spirit. Through vivid haikus and personal reflections, he captures the fleeting beauty of nature and the transience of life. Each stop on his pilgrimage reveals deeper insights into solitude, connection, and the art of appreciation. Basho's poetic prose invites you to ponder the paths you take and the moments you cherish. This timeless work challenges you to explore not just the world around you, but the inner landscapes of your own mind.
By Matsuo Basho
Published: 2019
"The journey itself is my home."
A masterful translation of one of the most-loved classics of Japanese literature—part travelogue, part haiku collection, part account of spiritual awakening Bashō (1644–1694)—a great luminary of Asian literature who elevated the haiku to an art form of utter simplicity and intense spiritual beauty—is renowned in the West as the author of Narrow Road to the Interior, a travel diary of linked prose and haiku recounting his journey through the far northern provinces of Japan. This edition, part of the Shambhala Pocket Library series, features a masterful translation of this celebrated work. It also includes an insightful introduction by translator Sam Hamill detailing Bashō’s life and the art of haiku, three other important works by Bashō—Travelogue of Weather-Beaten Bones, The Knapsack Notebook, and Sarashina Travelogue—and two hundred and fifty of his finest haiku, making this the most complete single-volume collection of Bashō’s writings. The Shambhala Pocket Library is a collection of short, portable teachings from notable figures across religious traditions and classic texts. The covers in this series are rendered by Colorado artist Robert Spellman. The books in this collection distill the wisdom and heart of the work Shambhala Publications has published over 50 years into a compact format that is collectible, reader-friendly, and applicable to everyday life.
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“The journey itself is my home.”
Narrow Road to the Interior
By Matsuo Basho
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Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) was a renowned Japanese poet and a key figure in the development of the haiku form. His most notable works include 'The Narrow Road to the Deep North' and numerous haikus that capture the beauty of nature and the transient nature of life. Basho's writing is characterized by its simplicity, depth, and profound appreciation for the natural world, often incorporating elements of Zen Buddhism and an emphasis on mindfulness.
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