04.Former Ishii Residence, Birthplace of KITAHARA Hakushu
■Commentary
Nankan Town is a place connected with poet KITAHARA Hakushu. This building, the former Ishii residence, was the home of KITAHARA’s mother, ISHII Shike. KITAHARA was born in his mother’s hometown, Nankan Town, at the Ishii residence in 1885. Since he was a child, KITAHARA had an unrivaled collection of books. He grew up surrounded by books, including the many belonging to his grandfather, uncles, and other relatives. KITAHARA also learned many skills from his uncles on his mother’s side, including how to hunt, ride horses, and swim, and he was exposed to the natural environment of Nankan Town. Those experiences are said to have built the foundation of his literary prowess. KITAHARA loved the sights of Nankan Town and wrote many poems. In the chapter Wa ga oitachi, or “My History”, in his Jojo shokyokushu, literally “A collection of short poems describing my feelings”, titled Omoide, or “Memories”, there is a line that says, Watashi no daini no furusato wa Higo no Nankan de atta, which “My second hometown is Nankan in Higo.” Additionally, the school anthem for Nankan Daiichi Elementary School was composed using lyrics written by KITAHARA and a melody by YAMADA Kosaku. To this day, it rings strong through the lively voices of many a child.
This building, the former Ishii residence, was the home of KITAHARA’s mother, ISHII Shike. KITAHARA was born in his mother’s hometown, Nankan Town, at the Ishii residence in 1885. Since he was a child, KITAHARA had an unrivaled collection of books. He grew up surrounded by books, including the many belonging to his grandfather, uncles, and other relatives. KITAHARA also learned many skills from his uncles on his mother’s side, including how to hunt, ride horses, and swim, and he was exposed to the natural environment of Nankan Town. Those experiences are said to have built the foundation of his literary prowess.
KITAHARA loved the sights of Nankan Town and wrote many poems. In the chapter Wa ga oitachi, or “My History”, in his Jojo shokyokushu, literally “A collection of short poems describing my feelings”, titled Omoide, or “Memories”, there is a line that says, Watashi no daini no furusato wa Higo no Nankan de atta, which “My second hometown is Nankan in Higo.” Additionally, the school anthem for Nankan Daiichi Elementary School was composed using lyrics written by KITAHARA and a melody by YAMADA Kosaku. To this day, it rings strong through the lively voices of many a child.