On the Narrow Road to the Deep North

Journey into a lost Japan

Lesley Chan Downer

$34.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Eland Publishing Ltd
01 May 2025

Travel & holiday; Travel writing

Series: Eland classic

After eight years working in Japan, immersing herself in its language and literature, Lesley Chan Downer set off in the footsteps of Matsuo Basho, Japan's most cherished poet, to explore the country's remote northern provinces.

Basho's pilgrimage to find the landscapes that had inspired the great medieval poets gave birth to Japan's most famous travel book, rich in strange imagery and sometimes comic encounters along the road.

In this intriguing cross-threading of journeys, perceptions and exquisite haiku, Lesley creates her own funny, loving and honest portrayal of contemporary Japan.

As she walks, she finds at one and the same time a drab post-industrial landscape of concrete and cable, but also a land still full of the old enchantments. Nights in thatched highland villages and sake-drenched poetry sessions encourage her to see for herself if any of the legendary hermit-priests still survive in the sacred mountains of the north.

'Downer has an instinctive insight into the way the Japanese think

a rare commodity which she uses with a marvellous delicacy of touch.'

Katie Hickman, The Literary Review

By: Lesley Chan Downer
Imprint: Eland Publishing Ltd
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm,
ISBN: 9781780602301
ISBN 10: 1780602308
Series: Eland classic
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 01 May 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Lesley Chan Downer is an author, journalist and historian whose passion is Japan.She lived there for more than 15 years, speaks Japanese, and has written some 14 books on the country. She is also a Geisha expert. For more on Lesley go to www.lesleydowner.com