Morioka Takuboku/Kenji Seishunkan

Ishikawa Takuboku Poetry Monument (in front of Morioka Station)

In the plaza in front of Morioka Station, there is a monument with a poem engraved with the words, ``Looking toward the mountains of my hometown, I have nothing to say. I am grateful for the mountains of my hometown.'' The song was composed during his time working at the Tokyo Asahi Shimbun newspaper, and its nostalgic feel is familiar to many people. Additionally, the letters ``Morioka'' posted on the outside wall of the station are a collection of letters written in Takuboku's own handwriting.

Shibumin Park (No. 1 Takuboku Poetry Monument)

Shibumin Park stretches along the banks of the Kitakami River across National Route 4 in front of the Ishikawa Takuboku Memorial Museum. Here is the first Takuboku poem monument, erected on April 13, 1922 (Taisho 11), with the inscription, ``As if I were to cry when I saw Kitakami Kishibeme looking at Yanagi.'' It is rare. At Takuboku Station in the park, there is a coffee shop and also sells handmade cakes made by local housewives, Takuboku goods, and farm-fresh vegetables.

upper bridge fake jewel

The bridge above was built by Toshinao, the lord of the Nanbu domain, over the Nakatsugawa River at the same time as he built Morioka Castle. Of the bronze imitation jewels decorating the railing, eight have inscriptions dated to 1609 (Keicho 14), and 10 have inscriptions dated to 1611 (1611). It is extremely rare that so many remain, and in 1945 it was designated as a nationally important art object.