"At the district of Nishiyama
The master owned only a cherry tree
In the precincts of Temple"
(Shiki)
This Haiku appeared in Shiki's haiku collections "Kanzan Rakuboku", the part of plant in spring of 1892, titling "Yamauchi Shrine".
Nishiyama was in the whole neighborhood of "Taihodai", the mountain located Minami Edo.
Youemon Yamauchi, the leading figure of Matsuyama riot and the inspector of feudal domain, got orders to perform hara-kiri for taking on the responsibility for this riot. After ten years, his loyalty was appreciated and his right of ownership of land was recovered. Sadamichi Hisamatsu, leader of Matsuyama feudal domain of that time, gave high praise to his loyalty and built Yamauchi Shrine.
Shiki would come here to admire this faithful retainer who had passed away like cherry blossoms.
The grave of Youemon is located in the precincts of Chokyuji Temple (1-chome, Miyuki) where he performed hara-kiri.
