“The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Basho is a captivating journey through 17th-century Japan, blending haiku poetry with prose to capture the fleeting beauty of nature and the quest for spiritual enlightenment. As a devoted Zen Buddhist, Basho embarks on travels that strip away material distractions, revealing the universe’s mysteries in the changing seasons, the scent of rain, and the glow of the moon. Nobuyuki Yuasa’s translation preserves the lyrical essence of Basho’s work, using contemporary language to convey the timeless elegance of the haibun style.

• Why You Should Read?
• Experience the profound beauty of nature through Basho’s poetic lens.
• Explore the spiritual journey of Zen Buddhism in a historical context.
• Enjoy a unique blend of poetry and prose in the haibun style.
• Trust Penguin Classics for an authoritative and well-annotated edition.