Written six hundred and fifty years apart from each other, Oku no Hosomichi by Matsuo Basho and Tosa Nikki by Ki no Tsurayuki are both examples of nikki bungaku or “diary literature." Both of these travelogues reflect the ideas and values ​​of their respective time periods. Tosa Nikki or Tosa's diary was written in 936 AD by Ki no Tsurayuki. Told from a woman's point of view, it chronicles the journey from Tosa on the island of Shikoku to the capital Kyoto on Honshu. Previously, men wrote diaries in which they recounted their political duties, and the entries were written in classical Chinese characters By disguising himself as a woman, Tsurayuki broke tradition and wrote Tosa Nikki in kana and wrote about the daily happenings of the journey back to the capital it influenced the future of the nikki genre as, subsequently, court ladies wrote about everyday events of court life or gossip about other women. Written by Matsuo Basho in 1686, Oku no Hosochi chronicles Basho's journey from Edo through the Tohoku region. Despite being descended from a low-ranking samurai family, Basho became a wandering monk, writing several anthologies of haikai poetry. The purpose of his journey appears to be to be able to visit the places that ancient authors called utamakura in their poetry and prose. There are several major differences between Tosa Nikki and Oku no Hosochi. Unlike Tosa Nikki, which is told from the point of view of a woman, Oku no Hosochi is told from the point of view of Basho, a man. Secondly, Tsurayuki was a court official while Basho was a traveling monk. Both authors traveled north, but Tsurayuki went by boat while Basho made his diary... medium of paper... telling the story of a traveler's journey. Furthermore, they use one form of literature to try to give recognition to the other form. Interestingly, Tsurayuki used poetry to elevate nikki and Basho used nikki to elevate poetry. Works Cited Keene, Donald, ed. “Tosa's Diary”. Anthology of Japanese literature. Grove Press. New York. 1955.Matsuo, Basho. The narrow road to the deep North. Mohr, Michel. Religion 204 conference. February 24, 2011. "Matsuo Basho Biography." Matsuo Basho. Accessed April 19, 2011. "Hina Matsuri." Explore Japan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. . Accessed April 19, 2011. “Tosa Nikki.” . Accessed April 19 2011.