Literature & legend

The writer Hisashi Inoue spent a period in Kamaishi with his mother, Mas Inoue. One of his masterpieces, “Hyokkori Gourd Island,” was modeled on Sangan Island. He wrote the song “Live Upbeat” for Kamaishi Elementary School, which became a refuge during the Great East Japan Earthquake. Every morning, refugees sang this song, which became the hope of the victims.

Hisashi Inoue Literature Monument 'Hyokkori Hyotanjima'

Sanuki Island, said to be the model for Hyokkori Hyotanjima

Many literary persons left their footprints and monuments in Kamaishi. Examples were playwright and novelist Shigure Hasegawa; Fumiko Hayashi, groomed by Hasegawa; Takuboku Ishikawa and Kenji Miyazawa, both closely associated with Kamaishi; Kotaro Takamura, who stayed in Hanamaki during the war; and Kunio Yanagida, known for Tono Monogatari. Tono Monogatari describes many episodes in Hashinocho.

Kamaishi Literature Monument Map
(JP)

Records show that Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) committed suicide in Oshu Kinugawa, chased by his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo. But “the Yoshitsune Kitayuki Legend” has it that he survived and proceeded to Ezo and beyond. Nakamura Hngando and Hokan Shrine, on his alleged escape route, tell the legend to date.

Legend of Yoshitsune’s journey to the north – Kamaishi version
(JP)