On this day we were in Fukushima prefecture, which had become well-known worldwide as the victim area of the nuclear accident. The disaster, however, was very localized and was far different from the case of the Chernobyl disaster. I place an emphasis on this point in the first place.
After saying goodbye to Y, we had some time until the departure time of the train. So, we visited a nearby famous historic site, which had long been a key junction from ancient times between northern and central Japan. That is a barrier called "Shirakawa-no-seki", which was already recorded in old literature written in the 8th century. The barrier had been functioning at least in the 8th century, but nobody knows when it was established. The barrier's function as a strategic point is thought to have disappeared as early as the 12th century and the accurate position of the barrier had long been unknown. It was identified during the Edo period.
I'd like to introduce Basho, who wrote many masterpieces while traveling in the northern part of Japan in the 17th century. He also dropped in at this barrier and left several poems called "haiku". In front of the Shin-shirakawa station, the statue of Basho stands. By the way, do you know about Mr. Donald Lawrence Keene? He is one of the Basho enthusiasts.
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