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Famous poems from "Oku No Hosomichi (The Narrow Road to the Deep North)" originated in Ichinoseki.Even the long rain of May A thicket of summer grass （Poems Written by Matsuo Basho and translated by Nobuyuki Yuasa） |
There are two theories to the derivation of the name Ichinoseki. Some say that the city was named after the sekisho (checkpoint stations) set up towards the end of the Heian period (794 - 1185) to guard the southern Hiraizumi area on behalf of the Fujiwara family who governed the country. Others say that the name came from the sekisho set up by the Tamura clan who ruled the region during the Yedo period (1600 - 1868). As an entrance to the southern region of Iwate prefecture and a port where goods from the Kitakami River are transferred, Ichinoseki has indeed served as a traffic checkpoint. Ichinoseki also leads to visiting spots such as Hiraizumi, Mount Kurikoma and Sanriku Beach. The famous poet Basho stopped through the town on May 13, 1689 (on the lunar calenar) and in 2 hours, he travelled 8 kilometers to Hiraizumi. The poem which begins with "Even the long rain of May..." was written by the poet at Chusonji Temple which reflects the prosperous Fujiwara family. Basho wrote "A thicket of summer grass..." at Takadachi lamenting the loss of Minamoto Yoshitsune and soldiers who died in the area.
Thanks to：Ichinoseki City Planning Section, Hiraizumi Town Tourist Section
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