Basho write what book
Narrow Road to the Deep North
What was Basho credited for
turning the Haiku into an major art form
what is at the foundation of Basho's book
Zen buddhism
what style is Basho's book written in
haibun style
what does Zen buddhism focus on
quieting the rational powers of the mind. reasoning is the enemy of inner piece.
in what period was this book written
futile period- time of shoguns (military rulers)
what were the poems called that he wrote
haiku
"Breaking the scilence of an ancient pond, a frog jumped into water- deep resonance
deep resonance means lasting effect, heavy
kireji
word that causes poem to turn different direction suddenly
why was the frog chosen?
it goes to metamorphosis. it transforms
what trigger his childhood memories
when he goes back to native town and gets a lock of his mothers hair
how are spirits incorporated
everything in nature has a spirit
meaning of "zen"
meditation
how does Basho write his haikus
very short and deliberate . spontaneous intense amounts of concentration
explain buddah belief toward nature and human
all are one. experience as much as possible being alive. sense of communication between natural world and what you experience. merging with nature. ritual isnt important.
pilgirmage is moving ____
moving meditation. aware of and open to the moment
why did he want to see the full moon
because the person he admired did that.
" on the following day it stated to rain in the afternoon and in no way could we see the rise of the moon" explain
he was very upset, felt like the trip had no purpose now. he wanted to see a full moon. but he was comforted by the story of the lady that couldn't write anything
what was revealed about Bashos past
didnt have spiritual fulfillment before journey. he was concerned about his soul/spirit.
he was in love with his art
he was seeking unity with nature. needs to let go of material world
how did basho prepare for his pilgrimage
had a goodbye party. friends wrote him poems.
he carries a paper coat, rain jakcet, cotton mantel. lots of stuff went with him.
what type of spirit does basho have
wind swept spirit- exposed and related to nature
what does his diary emphasis
loneliness and isolation. ruins. reflecting on decay and transience of all things. he welcomes loneliness
explain "every one of us like the servent"
recognition that no matter how fearful you choose to be, whatever is going to happen is going to happen, beyond human control.
why does he feel compelled to go on the narrow road
he is valuing the experience of being in touch with nature. selects most wild, dangerous, isolated difficul journey he could go on
explain " to say more would violate the holiness"
this is describing mount nikko, there is a emphasis on how great nature is. nature becomes a mediator of his spiritual changes
explain poisonous stone
its a projection of his coming death. he was anxious about the danger of the journey.
whats one of the reasons he was crying on mt nikko
fear of old age
explain the siginificance of the chestnut tree
represents connection to past. the tree is a sign of salvation his name means tree.
saw the ramains... there was a lonely temple" explain
weeping for him/them. seeing his death in theirs. sense of distance when he sets off, but he starts to lose that. emphasis on solitude/loneliness.
what the "old complaint"
his illness. he accepts it as a part of his traveling experience
what are cherry blossoms symbolic of
spring, rebirth, and new life
"rejoiced with tears in eyes at this happy moment"
poetry/writing becomes his monument
explain island experience.
feels closer to god the farther north he gos
perfect spot for him to mediate
"as i lay there... felt myself to be in the world totally different form the one im accustom to"
he's finally having the experience he was searching for since the beginning (weatherworn skeleton). the island was the site of cleansing his mind/eperience- observing the moon on the water
reason of his pilgrimage
to become a weather exposed skeleton. he wants to convey the want to become part of nature by dissolving into it. notion of stripping away- essential state, essence of who/ what one is.
explain what happens when he sees child on road
he leaves the abandoned child there. the child is a symbol of essential frugality. he believes that taking care of this child is out of his hands. so he walks past child and prays for him as he walks along.
"roar of pine trees... felt moved... powerful wind embraces cedar trees." explain
sense of connectedness he goes from being in nature
what was mt nikko focused on
nature
where does Basho reach his spiritual high point
the sacred mountains
what is required before he goes up the mountains
purification
what did the first mountain focus on
religion, shinto Buddhism was focused here. sleep mummifying monks, monks would be buried alive.
what are the mountains symbolic of
birth, death and rebirth
what is the rope symbolic of
death, like a noose.
"walk through the mist and clouds" explain
reached the summit completely exhausted and almost frozen and then describes the beauty. mysterious power in water.
