Jiro Kuji

Morioka City

Central Iwate

Jiro Kuji, who was born in Aomori Prefecture and spent his childhood in Morioka City, was invited to Morioka Junior High School's baseball team and became a catcher. After entering Waseda University, he continued to play an active role in the baseball club, and after graduating, he joined the Hakodate Ocean Club, a corporate team. At the Japan-America Baseball Tournament held in 1933, he played against Babe Ruth and other members of the American selection team, and as a catcher, he had a good lead over pitcher Eiji Sawamura. In 1939, he died after being hit in the head by a thrown ball. Even today, the Kuji Award is established as a fighting spirit award in intercity baseball.

Location: 2-2 Motomiya Jaiyashiki, Morioka 020-0866
Inquiries: Morioka City Ancestor Memorial Hall
Phone number 019-659-3338

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Manji Kasai

Architect from Morioka City. Studied architecture under Kingo Tatsuno, said to be the founder of architecture in Japan, at the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo Imperial University. Major representative buildings include Tokyo Station, the former Kokugikan (currently the Nihon University Auditorium), and the Morioka Bank Head Office (currently the Iwate Bank Nakanohashi Branch).

Morioka City

Central Iwate

History / Culture

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.

Morioka City

Central Iwate

History / Culture

Yakiniku/Cold noodles Morishige

Morioka City

Central Iwate