Shikido: replication of Shiki's childhood home
Matsuyama is a city rich in literary talent and history. The 20th century in particular saw Matsuyama rise to prominence in Japan's literary realm. Three important writers were either born in the city, or chose it as home for themselves and their characters.
The first is a poet, Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), born and raised in Matsuyama. He adopted the name Shiki, (meaning "blood"), after contracting tuberculosis as a young man. Shiki was an advocate of modernizing the old Japanese poetic forms, and he eventually introduced Haiku and Tanka for this purpose. The Shikido Memorial replicates his former home, with the additional display of Matsuyama's former steam train. Shiki Museum commemorates his life and poetic achievements.
The second major figure in Matsuyama's literary trio is Natsume Soseki (1987-1916), a prolific Meiji Period novelist and friend of Shiki's. He is best known for a novel entitled "Botchan", set in Matsuyama and featuring locations around the city. "Botchan" follows the life of a young teacher who moves to Matsuyama as Meiji Period reforms sweep the country.
Statue of Shiki as a boy
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Haiku inscribed stone monument
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"Botchan", written in 1906, is now often read as part of the Japanese school curriculum. As a result of the novel's wide readership, Matsuyama and its sights are well known across Japan. While the novel depicts Matsuyama as a small, backwards and insignificant town, it is very fondly regarded by residents of the city.
There is an exhibit on "Botchan" in the Shiki Kinen Museum, and the Dogo Onsen Station was rebuilt to resemble the novel's, complete with a Botchan train (traditional steam locomotive) that operates along the tram lines.
Finally, there is Ryotaro Shiba, a novelist born in 1923 who often wrote about the Edo and Meiji Periods. One of his later novels entitled "Saka no Ue no Kumo", or "Clouds Over the Hill" features Matsuyama City and includes both Shiki and Natsume as characters. The recently opened Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum commemorates the novel.
Shiki Museum
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