Shinonome Shrine
"At open and blight dawn,
The first cherry blossoms of the year
Start to be in bloom"
Meisetsu Naito(1847-1926)
"Shinonome Zakura"(cherry blossome) is officially designated by Matsuyama City
as a natural treasure. This Haiku was composed as to "Shinonome Zakura" at Shiki-an hermitage in 4th Apr. 1893(Meiji 26). Travellers, going up the Castle Hill, feast their mind on the beautiful cherry blossomes and the moss-covered monument.
This monument was built in the summer of 1925(Taisho 14), the year before he deaded at the age of 78. "Shinonome Zakura" at the left side of the approach to Shinonome Shrine, is the 2nd tree. It is the species of Yamazakura and come into blossom sooner than "Someiyoshino", later than "Higanzakura".
Meisetsu Naito was born the first son to father Fusaosuke and mother Yaso, at the residence of the domain of Matsuyama, in Mita, Edo(Tokyo). His pen name "Meisetsu" spelled to let all matter in the world take its own course and make a parody of his real name "Nariyuki"(It means the course of events).
He seriously began to originate Haiku at the age of 45, led by Shiki, and this work took his lifetime. He originated the next Haiku, because in his boyhood, he had learned chinese poem from "Kanzan Ohara", Shiki's grandfather, and later on, Haiku from Shiki, the son of Kanzan's daughter.
"I have learned chinese poem
From Grandfather and Haiku from his Grandson
It's just blowing spring breeze"
