Bashō's Map of Travels
The Narrow Road to the Deep North · 1689
In the spring of 1689, Bashō sold his hut and set out on foot with his companion Sora, walking some 2,400 kilometres through the wild northern provinces of Honshū over five months. From this road came his greatest work.
Late Spring, 1689
Fukagawa, Edo 深川・江戸
季語 · Departing spring · 行く春Bashō sells his riverside hut and departs the city, uncertain he will return.
The passing spring — birds mourn, and the eyes of fishes fill with tears.
In his life storyEarly Summer, 1689
Nikkō 日光
季語 · Young leaves · 若葉He pays homage at the great mountain shrine, awed by the young summer light.
How holy a sight — green leaves, young leaves, in the light of the sun.
In his life storySummer, 1689
Kurobane · Nasu 黒羽・那須
季語 · Summer moor · 夏野A long, welcome rest with friends across the Nasu moorland.
In his life storySummer, 1689
Shirakawa Barrier 白河の関
季語 · Deutzia flower · 卯の花Passing the ancient checkpoint, he crosses at last into the true north.
In his life storySummer, 1689
Matsushima 松島
季語 · Summer moon · 夏の月The pine-clad islands leave him so moved that, famously, he could not write.
In his life storySummer, 1689
Hiraizumi 平泉
季語 · Summer grasses · 夏草At the grass-grown ruins of a fallen warrior clan, he weeps over glory turned to dust.
Summer grasses — all that remains of soldiers' dreams.
In his life storySummer, 1689
Yamadera · Risshaku-ji 山寺・立石寺
季語 · Cicada · 蝉Climbing the silent cliff temple as cicadas drone in the heat.
Such stillness — the cries of the cicadas sink into the rocks.
In his life storySummer, 1689
Mogami River 最上川
季語 · Summer rains · 五月雨He rides the swollen river swift with the rains of the season.
Gathering the rains of summer — how swift it runs, the Mogami River.
In his life storyLate Summer, 1689
Kisakata 象潟
季語 · Silk-tree bloom · 合歓の花The northernmost point of the road — a melancholy lagoon in the rain.
Kisakata — Seishi asleep in the rain, wet mimosa flowers.
In his life storyAutumn, 1689
Kanazawa 金沢
季語 · Autumn wind · 秋風Turning south down the Japan Sea coast as autumn deepens.
In his life storyAutumn, 1689
Ōgaki 大垣
季語 · Departing autumn · 行く秋The journey ends — yet already he dreams of the next departure by boat.
As the clam is torn from its shell, I depart — and autumn goes with me.
In his life storyTap a stop to trace the road on the map. Waypoints follow Bashō's historical itinerary.