Matsuo Bashō’s Epic Journey and the Mysteries of Oku no Hosomichi
Unraveling the Secrets Behind Bashō’s Legendary Travels and Endurance
When people think of Japanese haiku, many immediately recall Matsuo Bashō (松尾芭蕉, 1644–1694), the poet who greatly advanced this literary form during Japan’s early Edo period. Bashō, who spent his life wandering Japan, produced over 1,000 haiku that continue to influence poetry worldwide.
His masterpiece, Oku no Hosomichi (奥の細道, “The Narrow Road to the De…