the narrow road to the deep north and other travel sketches by: matsuo bash ō

The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel SketchesBy: Matsuo Bashō

Brianna Green & Ashley Longo

Haiku-Also known as hokku

The shortest among traditionally accepted forms of Japanese poetry

Grown out of a long process 17 syllables- three sections of five-seven-five

俳句

Waka Established long before haiku 31 syllables- 5 sections of five-seven-

five-seven-seven Emotive expression and a refined

description of nature. Extremely popular among aristocratic

courtiers

Kamakura Period (1192-1392) Long chained of linked verse Poets wrote alternately To prevent chaotic confusion, various

schools of poets were formed Serious (ushin)

- emulating the elegant style of waka Non-Serious (mushin)

- witty composition of low order.

Sōgi & Linked Verse Perfection Starting piece evolved into the hokku of

the series Most experienced poets Five-seven-five form Two essential parts

Season in which it is written Breaking word (kireji)

Small, emotionally charged Extra strength and dignity

Sōin(1602-82) Concept of Metaphor (gūgen)

Bringing together two different categories Theory of substance (jitsu) and essence

(kyo) in poetry Later developed by Bashō

Matsuo Bashō (1644-94) At age 9, he entered into the service of

the Todo family, as a page Yoshitada, the young heir

study-mate who took more to the acquisition of literary accomplishments than to the practice of military arts.

-Kigin (1624-1705)- taught Bashō and Yoshitada the art of linked verse

Bashō lifted haiku into a perfect realm: poetry that embodied in itself the seriousness and elegance of Sōgi and the freedom of energy of Sōin

Konjikidō, or the “Golden Chapel”

Even the long rain of May

Has left it untouched –

This Golden Chapel

Aglow in the sombre shade

p. 119

Climbing Mount Haguro

(over 2500 steps to the top)

Blessed indeedIn this South ValleyWhere the gentle wind

breathesThe faint aroma of snow

p. 124

Clear voiced cuckoo,Even you will needThe silver wings of a craneTo span the islands of Matsushima

by Sora, p. 116

Summary Four major points to writing

a haiku 1. 17 syllables, 3 sections of

five-seven-five 2. Based upon a season 3. The use of metaphors

(gūgen) 4. Breaking word (kireji)