Dorothy Britton Book order (chronological)

This is the story of a Japanese princess, the first autobiography by a member of the Japanese Imperial Family published in English. Setsuko, Princess Chichibu, was born in Walton-on-Thames, England, in 1909. She was educated at the Peeresses' School for Girls in Tokyo and the Friends School in Washington before marrying Prince Chichibu, the younger brother of Emperor Hirohito and next in line for the throne. Despite her distinguished noble lineage from the Matsudaira family, she was considered a commoner since her father had renounced his title, necessitating her 'adoption' into the Imperial Family. Their marriage took place in September 1928, and she lived until the age of 85, passing away in August 1995, long after the Prince’s premature death from tuberculosis. Her life unfolds like a remarkable 'fairy' tale, albeit in a challenging era. While much could be elaborated upon, much remains unspoken, with layers of meaning 'between the lines.' Both the Prince, who studied in London and Oxford, and the Princess had strong ties to England and the United States. Their experience during World War II was particularly harrowing, as they faced the conflict between their mother country and their adopted nations. In the post-war years, the Princess traveled extensively in Europe to rekindle old friendships and was deeply loved and admired. They had no children.

In his beautifully crafted haiku, Basho captures the natural world with simplicity and deep feeling. As an ardent student of Zen Buddhism, he embarked on travels aimed at shedding material distractions and seeking spiritual enlightenment. His writings reflect the changing seasons, the scent of rain, the brightness of the moon, and the beauty of waterfalls, revealing the mysteries of the universe. This seventeenth-century travel writing chronicles Basho's challenging journeys through Japan while expressing his vision of eternity in the transient world around him. Nobuyuki Yuasa’s lucid translation preserves the lyrical qualities of Basho's poetry and prose, using contemporary language and rhythms. The introduction explores the haibun style, where poetry and prose coexist, and the edition includes maps and notes for context. For over seventy years, Penguin has been a leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, offering a diverse collection of more than 1,700 titles. Penguin Classics is trusted for its authoritative texts, enhanced by introductions and notes from distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, along with modern translations by award-winning translators.