Japanese poet
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.
Translated by Meredith McKinney
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 call of the road, finding incredible joy in his freedom and drinking in brief glimmers of transient perfection.
