The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches

Basho takes to the road, and, along the way, writes little haiku.

It wasn't always pleasant:

How far must I walk
To the village of Kasajima
This endlessly muddy road
Of the early wet season?

And:

Bitten by fleas and lice,
I slept in a bed,
A horse urinating all the time
Close to my pillow.

But there are also lovely tributes to nature:

It was with awe
That I beheld
Fresh leaves, green leaves,
Bright in the sun.

And:

In the utter silence
Of a temple,
A cicada's voice alone
Penetrates the rocks.

It's a fascinating walk with a wise man along a road that may not exist any more.