The Mask of Matsushima - debut novella by Tim Gardiner, Nun Prophet Press

Matsuo Bashō’s delight at seeing the moon rise over Matsushima Bay inspired this haibun novella about a man’s journey to find the shocking truth of his existence. The story it tells is inspired by places Bashō visited in his classic 17th century journey into northern Japan including Sendai and Matsushima. It weaves in the history of the Tōhoku Region, specifically that of its famous ruler, Lord Masamune. Interwoven with the prose are haiku poems to add to the emotional resonance of the story. It is Tim’s first haibun novella, drawing on his experiences in Japan, and was released in 2022 by US publisher, Nun Prophet Press. You can download it here