Although written over 600 years apart, Ki no Tsurayuki's fictionalized depiction of his difficult journey to Kyoto, Tosa Nikki, exhibits many similar qualities to Oku no Hosomichi by Matsuo Bashō. Their focus on nature and a journey in general, whether or not there is a set goal, creates a similar progression in both stories, based on real events. One of the main differences between these two stories is the means in which they travel: one on foot, the other by boat. In Tosa Nikki, the narrator and the rest of her crew are put on a ship, only able to make observations about the world from a distance. They comment on things like the moon, trees, and ocean, as well as the people on the ship with them. In contrast, Matsuo's journey is on foot, with outside forces encountering him along the way. His interactions with kind people on his journey help him see the good in the world. This contrast between internal and external interaction helps shape both narrators. Although one would think that living on a ship for about two months would lead to some unappealing and perhaps grotesque images, especially those of the living conditions, Ki no Tsurayuki is sure to keep these details buried. There is talk of alcohol consumption accompanied by cheerfulness, images of nature and numerous descriptions of the moon. Only until the end, once they arrive at their destination in Kyoto, does the narrator describe, though still pleasantly, the degraded state of the cottage they were so desperate to reach. “As we reached the house and passed through the gate, everything stood out brightly under the clear moon. Things were even worse than we had heard – there was a wasteland of decay and disrepair…… middle of paper… progress, in the sense that not much happens in terms of plot or of character development, but places more emphasis on the path that led them there, depicted as an actual path in both stories. Matsuo's classic storyline could be attributed to the influence of Taoism on him. Taoism emphasizes "action through inaction", as seen in its descriptions of seemingly trivial details about urinating horses and various aspects of the religion. His reflection was just as important as the physical journey he took, which allowed him to return to where he started without feeling like he had accomplished anything. Nature plays an important role in Matsuo and Ki no Tsurayuki's journeys. Their connection with the world around them influences their mental growth and changes their perspective from the beginning to the end of their story..