Travels with a Writing Brush extends the study of Japanese poetry beyond the form of haiku. As a teacher of English, this was an interesting read. As it does not fall within the traditional cannon, both the poetic forms and the historical context deepen scholarship of multicultural literature.
As a reader, the texture, tone, and imagery inspired deep comparisons to similar historic moments. This poetry offers a snapshot of a different royal court, yet the themes of banishment from the presence of royalty and the voices of child soldiers are resonate with more standardized texts.
While I do not currently have a place for this book in the standard and required curriculum, it is a beautiful addition to a poet’s library as well as recommended reading for those who wish to expand their understanding of travel writing, or poetry beyond the standard.

#TravelswithaWritingBrush #NetGalley

Thank you to Penguin Classics for giving me a free digital galley of this book in exchange for feedback.

This is a collection of travel writing from long-ago Japanese authors, which is a very different thing than a collection of travel writing by European authors.

The emphasis here isn't on adventures, anecdotes, interesting people, or exciting experiences. Instead, the emphasis for these writers is on images, poignant emotions, and opportunities to create a new poem or allude to an old, familiar one.

It's lovely, in a quiet, understated way. I think it would work well read a little bit at a time, on the bedside table.