Bashō’s last masterpiece, ‘Narrow Road to the Deep North,’ emerges from his six-month journey through the remote northern regions of Japan. This expedition aimed to enhance the Genroku haiku schools, which had strayed from the poetic truth and elegance found in ancient waka poetry. Haiku, a shortened form of waka, had become overly farcical, losing its thematic depth and aesthetic beauty tied to traditional forms. During the Tokugawa period (1603-1867), societal shifts transformed the cultural landscape, moving power from samurai and aristocrats to commoners like wealthy farmers and industrialists. This change influenced poetic literature, prompting Bashō to seek the elegance of classical poetry. He felt the essence of wabi, sabi, and mono no aware slipping away. His journey was a quest to explore his poetic soul, retracing the paths of beloved mentor poets who had traveled before him. He visited Utamakura, significant sites where ancient poets had composed their works. This journey reflects Bashō’s ethnographic approach, encompassing life with nature, humanity, and spiritual beings. Additionally, the study ‘Time and Space in Bashō, Buson, and Issa’ examines their haikus, highlighting Bashō’s influence on Buson and Issa, who developed their unique styles later in life.
