In the afternoon of Sept. 21st of 1895 (Meiji 28), Shiki composed this Haiku when he took a stroll from Gudabutsuan Hermitage in 2 ban-cho to the foot of Mt. Miyukiji,with the numbers of Shofu-kai ; Aisho, Rokudo (Kyokudo), Baioku and others.
Hundreds of stone steps were the stone stairs of Shinonome Shrine. The theme of this Haiku was people who were going up this stairs to the dungeon of Matsuyama Castle.
Shinonome Shrine, built by Sadamichi Hisamatsu in 1823 (Bunsei 6), have two hundreds and one steps of stairs and look like reaching the clear autumn sky to our eyes.
This day must had a cloudless sky in autumn and Shiki, who had been to recuperate after illness, must felt so good, because on the day before, he said in the beginning of "Sansaku-shu" ;
"I feel unusually comfortable today (...)"
Shinonome Shrine was built at the northern foot of Castle Hill to step aside the bad position of northwest ( ; Kimon).
It had a magnificent Noh Stage where Noh farce, that Matsuyama feudal domain was proud of, was held twice every spring and autumn."Shinonome Shrine has Noh Stage That stand up against the hazy sky In the cherry blossom season" (Kyoshi)
