Asian Topics on Asia for Educators || Basho's Narrow Road to the Deep North

NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH
(OKU NO HOSOMICHI)
by Matsuo Bashô (1644-1694)
Spritual Freedom

Haruo Shirane :: One of the reasons why Bashô becomes so fascinating for the Japanese is because he is someone who represents spiritual freedom in an era in which society is so hierarchical. We have society where the samurai are the elite, and the four classes, a Confucian hierarchy in extremely tight control over the populace. But Bashô is someone — at least the image he creates — is someone who is able to leave society. The recluse and the traveler become images of spiritual freedom.

Donald Keene :: An almost saintly person living in an age when saintliness was not at a great premium, but at the same time being a part of that age, and yet transcending it by his poetry.

In 1993, which was the 300th anniversary of Bashô's journey to the north, the narrow road of Oku journey, there were millions of people, literally, who went to the same places. It was hard to get on a train. Everyone wished in some way to participate in this experience.