This haiku monument was established to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the formation of Iyo takuhon (ink rubbing) Study group.
On the left side of the monument, there is a haiku "the full moon / ten thousand house holds / in Matsuyama of Iyo" (by Shiki) engraved with the haiga¡Êpaintings especially for haiku poetry) of the moon and the plum blossoms.
The haiku "only slight taste of it- / spring makes its debut / with plum blossoms and the moon" was made in spring of 1694. And this haiku was compiled in the book named "komoshishishu". According to "trip diary" by Kyoroku(one of Basho's disciples), the haiku was titled "plum moon" and it seemed that this haiku was composed at the inn Kyoroku was staying.
The meaning of this haiku: It has been spring already on calendar but it actually is still chilly and signs of spring have not appeared. However, with the misty moon and the unfolding plum blossoms we can appreciate the upcoming spring.
This haiku was one of his last years, just one year before his death.
In the precincts of the shrine, there is a haiku monument:
So many things / come up to my mind- / cherry blossoms
And the back of the monument there is a prologue:
This haiku monument was erected to honor Shiki Masaoka, a haiku saint, and also to make new one of Haiku Master Basho's monuments, many of which recently have been weathered on the occasion of our 7th anniversary of establishment of our group.
Established on November 23, 1985
