Statue of Shiki setting out on a journey

Statue of Shiki setting out on a journey

In Meiji 13(1880), Masaoka Shiki, the saint of Haiku, graduated from Katsuyama Primary School, the predencessor of the Bancho Primary School. This statue is the form of Shiki in his youth when he went on a journey to Hakone to originate Haiku and tied the strings of the straw sandals aiming to go up a steep mountain path completely on foot.
This statue was built to celebrate the 100th aniversary of the founding of th Bancho Primary School in Nov., 1986, hoping that boys and girls hold independence, preserverance and goahead sprit.
Many big-name personages, Saneyuki Akiyama, Hironori Mizuno, Kyoshi Takahama and Nousei Abe graduated from this school except Shiki Masaoka.

"Local accent carry the window
which is sweet-scented with the smell
of the faraway home"

Shiki speaked in a strong Iyo(the ancient name of Matsuyama) accent till the end of his life. When Shiki was on the verge of death, Hekigoto Kawahigashi rushed to Shiki's bedside. It has been heard that Shiki lied on his back and quietly said to Hekigodo, being convinced of his death, to call Kyoshi Takahama, and asked his sister Ritsu, "Who does come here" in pure Iyo accent.