Enkouji Temple

  "The priest, Meigetsu, will come
         From the other world to eat "Furofuki"
                  In a-hundredth years after death"

    "The winter scene is tasteful
          As well as bamboo's drawn by Zoutaku
                  And calligraphy written by Meigetsu"
 
                                                 (Shiki) 

The first Haiku was composed in the winter of 1896 (Meiji 29), prefacing "the a-hundredth anniversary of priest Meigetsu's death. Priest, Meigetsu was born in Mamaguchi Prefecture in 1718 (Kyoho 3). He trained himself at Enkouji Temple in Matsuyama from the age of fifteen, and then studied in Kyoto and Sakai, Oosaka.
He was excellent in poem and calligraphy, but full of eccentricities.
In particular, Meigetsu was called the most excellent calligrapher in Matsuyama as well as Ryokan in Echigo (present Niigata Prefecture). He died on July 23rd of 1797 (Kansei 9), aged 79.
"Furofuki" is the cuisine of boiled radishes or turnips with kneading "miso" and the season word of winter. This Haiku monument was built on Apr. 1st of 1984 (Showa 59).

The second Haiku was composed in the winter of 1897 (Meiji 30). Prefacing of "in the coarse hermitage" stands for this Haiku was composed in Shikian Hermitage.
Both Zoutaku and Meigetsu were the excellent calligrapher in this place.
Zoutaku Yoshida was a local magistrate of Matsuyama feudal domain and the masterhand at the sumie (Indian ink drawing) of bamboo's.

"From that time on when
          The master got Zouitaku's drawing of bamboo
                  Dewdrops form in this hermitage"

                   (composed by Soseki in 1910 (Meiji 43) )

Shiki had the sumie of bamboo drawn by Zoutaku and the calligraphy written by Meigetsu in his house. The calligraphy written by Meigetsu was sent as a present of Kyoshi's wedding anniversary.
The sumie drawn by Zoutaku have been exhibited in the Shiki-do Hall.
This Haiku monument was built on July 22nd of 1984 (Showa 59) ; The day before the anniversary of Meigetsu's death.