Narrow Road to the Interior: And Other Writings

Description

Here is the most complete single-volume collection of writings by one of the great luminaries of Asian literature. Basho (1644-1694) elevated the haiku to an art form of utter simplicity and intense spiritual beauty, and is best known in the West as the author of The Narrow Road to the Interior, a travel diary of linked prose and haiku. This volume includes a masterful translation of this work and many others besides.

Sam Hamill is the author of more than thirty books of poetry, essays and translations from classical Chinese and Japanese, ancient Greek, Latin and other languages.

"Lucid and engaging, this translation, a gift of careful attention, does not separate poetry from spiritual practice. Basho becomes our guide on the way of insight. Such is the magic of a fine translation." - Margaret Gibson, Tricycle"