The last poem of Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694) begins with the line Tabi ni yande, often translated as “ill on a journey.” Bashō spent years walking around Japan, in good weather and bad, in health and in sickness, allowing the landscapes he encountered to inspire his poetry. The four poems included in this setting exemplify his approach to finding beauty in the world around him, even while suffering.
Accompanied versions of these songs are included in Ill on a Journey, a multilingual opera/oratorio about navigating life with chronic illness.
Please contact Rebekah if you are interested in performing this piece. For information about Japanese pronunciation, read the Japanese Diction Guide.