A review by annemariewellswriter
Back Roads to Far Towns: Basho's Oku-No-Hosomichi by Matsuo Bashō

2.0

I was rather disappointed at how boring this was. Essential Haiku, for example, gave compelling recounts of the events in the haikaishi’s life, and then shared pertinent journal entries that revealed their emotions as the events took place. This translation of bashos journal entries left me wondering, “what am i getting out of this?”

“Went by river-boat down to harbor of Sakata. Stayed at En an Fugyoku, the doctors house.” Like okay... i guess i don’t want to read about someone’s daily minutia unless it’s beautifully written.


I did enjoy the Japanese being on the opposite page and being able to see the characters and their translations.