50 Excellent Sights of Honzura

The 50 Excellent Sights of Honzura [坎负の百半妙容 Honzura no Honban Myōri) is a travel diary published in 1767 by northern Kantonese poet Ukamachi no Toshi. The diary chronicles his travels throughout the Honzura region; it is split into fifty short 'chapters' each detailing in descriptive prose the progress of the journey. Ukamachi also wrote a short poem for most places he visited. The work showcases his signature insight and wit, and also gives a valuable contemporary account of life in northern Kanton during the mid-18th century. It is considered one of the nation's essential historical works, and is studied in schools throughout the country.
== Outline ==
Excellent Sights was written based on a journey undertaken by Ukamachi in the early spring of 1764. He departed from the town of Kanema in southern Yamako Province (now Saka Prefecture), intending to travel in a circuit around the Honzura region. Ukamachi was propelled by a desire to see a full view of Honzura and gain more knowledge of the region, while simultaneously 'renewing his art'. Travel in those days was quite dangerous and could easily be disrupted, but Ukamachi was committed to the poetic ideal of the wandering soul. He travelled for about 150 days, covering over a thousand miles on foot. Their journey eventually ended successfully in the city of Omiya.
== The text ==
After his journey, Ukamachi spent several years working and reworking Excellent Sights before publishing it in 1767. Although written in the usual poetic style popular at the time, the diary delivers consistent and fascinating insights throughout, offering an uncommonly unabashed view into both the author's private thoughts and an authentic depiction of Honzura itself. 
A multitude of interesting characters appear in the diary, many of which have become iconic, such as Miyato the chivalrous knight, and Hanari the flirtatious and fanciful shrine maiden. The existence and truthful portrayal of these supposed real people has been a subject of scholarly debate, as some believe their appearance either references or has been tweaked to resemble common archetypes of the time.
=== Opening paragraph ===
The opening paragraph of Excellent Sights is one of the most well-studied and famous openings of any Kantonese work of the 18th century. It is also the most commonly quoted section of the entire book.The days and months of one's life pass by like tireless travellers on a road which is even unknown to them. Perhaps the road is dangerous, but no more dangerous than staying at home; home is a place through which the years pass too quickly. If one wishes to sit in peace and quiet all their life, it is one's choice, but for a long time my desire has been to discover what lies beyond. Winter I spent in a kind of slumber, but now it is time to awaken and explore. Spring comes; the world is living again.
Category:Literature