Hakushu Kitahara and Shien-sosha

Hakushu Kitahara was a leading Japanese poet who became popular from the Meiji period to the Showa period (beginning of the 20th century). He was known for his famous poems such as, "A Trifoliate Orange Flower" (Karatachi no Hana),"Sand Hill" (Sunayama), and many more. Poet, Hakushu Kitahara (1885 -1942) had accomplished his excellent literary works when he isolated himself from the public and came to live in Tokyo's Koiwa-ward in summer of 1916, in the span of one year. Hakushu called his residence, Shien-sosha (A Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Poetries). During the redevelopment of Edogawa River, the building was left demolished. Later on, the building's original owner and Ichikawa City resident, Mr. Denosuke Yuasa kindly offered the structure to Ichikawa City. As a tribute to the painstaking efforts of Hakushu Kitahara, it was reconstructed in Satomi area, along the opposite shore of Edogawa, the same layout and wood materials as the original structure. It was said that before he moved to Koiwa, he used to live along Mama area's Kamei Temple in Ichikawa City. After he moved to Koiwa, he used to gaze at the scenery of Satomi, located at the opposite side of Edogawa bank. He enjoyed watching and loved the trees and greenery that surround it.