MATSUO BASHŌ AND OKU NO HOSOMICHI: THE BEAUTY OF HAIKU AND THE SPIRIT OF TRAVEL

Abstract

Matsuo Bashō is one of the greatest poets in Japanese literary history. His haiku are admired not only in Japan but also around the world because they express profound emotions and the beauty of nature in only seventeen syllables. His masterpiece, Oku no Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North), is more than a travel diary; it is a literary work that reflects his philosophy of life and his appreciation of nature. This report discusses Bashō’s life, the characteristics of his haiku, and the significance of Oku no Hosomichi, while considering why his works continue to inspire modern readers.