The Narrow Road to the Interior and Hojoki Audiobook By Matsuo Basho, Kamo no Chomei cover art

The Narrow Road to the Interior and Hojoki

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The Narrow Road to the Interior and Hojoki

By: Matsuo Basho, Kamo no Chomei
Narrated by: Togo Igawa
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Japanese poetry is well-known for its clarity and concision, and The Narrow Road to the Interior and Hojoki are two of the best-loved, and most intensely Japanese, works of their kind; famous for their beautiful, delicate verse and subtle insight into the human condition. It has been said of The Narrow Road that 'it was as if the very soul of Japan had itself written it'. It takes the form of a travel diary, and traces the poet's journey from Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to the northern interior. Hojoki, a much earlier work written by Chomei, a Buddhist hermit, is essentially a meditation on the transience of the world. Read by the famous classical Japanese actor Togo Igawa, the full beauty of its ancient cadences and rhythms is drawn out.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2008 Naxos Audiobooks (P)2008 Naxos Audiobooks Classics Asian Poetry World Literature Eastern Philosophy Essays Nonfiction

Editorial reviews

This fine rendering of two classic Japanese tales about the contemplative life demonstrates the power and effectiveness of the Naxos method of combining classic literature and classical music. The modern translations are enriched with verse excerpts in Japanese, traditional Japanese instruments in the musical bridges, and the use of Japanese actors as narrators. "Höjöki" ("The Ten-Foot Square Hut") is the shorter and more accessible of the two works, and Togo Igawa is the more appealing of the two narrators. Takashi Sudo and his tale require more patience, and closer attention. This outstanding production is an excellent introduction to two of the staples of Japanese literature.

Critic reviews

"Hojoki, like Virgil's Eclogues, is a poetical hymn to pastoralism. Basho's prose...is equally passionate." (The Guardian)
All stars
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A pairing of 2 of my favorite pieces of writing, Basho's Narrow Road to the Interior and Chomei's Hojoki. It would be nice if someone recorded Hojoki and Narrow Road separately. Both are such powerful and meaningful writing. I read Hojoki so many times on paper, and just got to hearing this. No narrator can equal the majesty of this poem, but I am glad he tried.

Hojoki is my favorite poem ever, so good to hear!

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enjoyed every minute
poems of the Buddhist monk
written in a travel log the style

Basho

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superb & excellent. like all of naxos audios this is well done and a fine listen. the japanese actors make it even better.

excellent

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Although this title says this is read by one reader it certainly doesn't sound like it. When I got to the Narrow Road, which is not the first story read, I was surprised to hear that the reader had a much heavier Japanese accent. Although I can appreciate this approach it is a little hard to understand and requires constant concentration. Moreover I believe all the haiku are in Japanese - a real disappointment. I give this 2 stars only because it is Basho, but without the poetry, and it is the only version available.

Narrow Road narrowly passes

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The first story in this collection is beautifully translated and narrated. However the narrator for the second story has such a heavy accent and the recording quality is so poor that the piece is
VERY difficult to understand.

Second story unintelligible

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