ALISON WOOLPERT, GEPPO, JOURNAL OF THE YUKI TEIKEI HAIKU SOCIETY, FEB-APRIL 2026 — Carolyn Fitz’s Land Acknowledgment recognized the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, collectively referred to by many as “Ohlone.” The Ohlone were and continue to be wise stewards of the land and water in California from south San Francisco to the north Monterey Bay area.

Fifty-eight attendees came to hear guest speaker and artist, Annette Makino. She, along with her husband and adult son, recently went on an 18-day trip in Japan. The focus of the trip was a six-day, self-guided hiking tour in Tohoku, Japan, where they followed part of Matsuo Bashō’s 1689 route that led to his classic haiku-laced travelogue, Oku no Hosomichi or Narrow Road to the Deep North. Bashō made numerous walking journeys in his lifetime, but this 1,200-mile journey was taken near the end of his life (1644–1694), when he was 45. For most of the journey, he was accompanied by his companion, Kawai Sora. Along with solitude, they sought spiritual enlightenment and artistic inspiration, and Bashō hoped to expand his influence and teachings.

On this tour, “Self-guided Bashō Wayfarer,” Annette’s family walked four to nine miles a day. They thoroughly enjoyed the scenic walk past sites that inspired Bashō’s haiku and the historical shrines and museums along the way. Accommodations were at ryokan, traditional Japanese inns that have onsen, hot spring baths. Annette also spoke highly of the delicious cuisine that was so artfully served.

Following Annette’s sharing of this hiking adventure, she presented artistic work from her series Torn Together, a sampler of collage haiga. She briefly explained her process for piecing together the collages and how she adds the haiku. Annette has an online gallery of her art, as well as many lovely items for sale, including calendars, books, art prints, and cards. For more information, visit her website at www.makinostudios.com.