Basho, M. (2004) "The Narrow Road to the Deep North" Translated by Dr Tim Chilcott. UK: @http://www.tclt.org.uk
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Dear friends,
I'll try to post more sections this week. I have been super busy with the children's books. Next week, I will introduce you to another children's book author which I have been talking to lately and, hopefully, do a reveal of the first sketches for the first book, which launches in May.
I am enjoying reading and having plenty of time to contemplate Basho's "Narrow Road to the Deep North."
I also need your help with BookBub and TikTok. To unlock certain functions on both these platforms, I need 1,000 followers. If you would like to help, follow the links on this social media post that I have prepared to make it easier for you. With just a click, you'll be done.
Thank you. Until next time…
<旅立＞
弥生も末の七日、明ぼのと空朧々として、月は在明にて光おさま
れる物から不二の峯にみえて、上野谷中の花の梢又いつかはと
心ぼそし。むつまじきかぎりは宵よりつどひて舟に乗て送る。千
じゆと五所にて船をあがれば、前途三千里のおもひ胸にふさがり
て幻のちまたに離別の泪をそよく。
行春や鳥啼魚の目は泪
是を矢立の初として、行道なをすとまず。人々は途中に立ならび
て、後かげのみゆる迄はと見送なるべし。
THE NARROW ROAD TO THE DEEP NORTH
It was the twenty-seventh day of the Third Month [16 May]. There was a wan, thinning moon, and in the first pale light of dawn, the summit of Mount Fuji could be dimly seen. I wondered if I should ever see the cherry trees of Uno and Yanaka again. My closest friends, who had gathered together the night before, got on the boat to see me off. We disembarked at Senju, and my heart was overwhelmed by the prospect of the vast journey ahead. Ephemeral though I know the world to be, when I stood at the crossroads of parting, I wept goodbye.
the spring is passing -
the birds all mourn and fishes
eyes are wet with tears
I wrote this verse to begin my travel diary, and then we started off, though it was hard to proceed. Behind, my friends were standing in a row, as if to watch till we were lost to sight.
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