Shimazaki Tōson and Itouya
The teacher favored room number one at Itouya, becoming an unforgettable room for us throughout our lives.
─From Shizuko Shimazaki's "Hitosuji no Michi"─
Shimazaki Tōson and Yugawara
Shimazaki Tōson (1872–1943) left an enduring legacy in the history of modern Japanese literature through his extensive literary works, including poetry, essays, and novels.
Around the beginning of the Showa era, Tōson was planning to write his novel "Yoake Mae" (Before the Dawn). Concerned about maintaining his health, he consulted his father-in-law (a doctor), who recommended Yugawara Onsen as a place for recuperation. According to his wife's recollection, "Initially, we changed inns in Yugawara a couple of times, but the teacher liked room number one at Itouya, and it became an unforgettable room for us for the rest of our lives."
Inn Register and Stay Record during that Time
Tōson spent approximately one week at Itouya for recuperation after submitting manuscripts to publishers four times a year from 1928 (Showa 3). The "Daifukuchō" (large register) and the stay record, which provides insights into his stay, are exhibited and open to the public in the lobby.
Tōson's Calligraphy ＜1＞
At our inn, there are two pieces of calligraphy written by Tōson during his stay, now carefully preserved as hanging scrolls.
One reads, "Knowing the words of Issa, I send them to the owner of Itouya. Changing into a new kimono, discarding the old one at the snake's abode—such extravagance, compared to a frog wearing a single garment on both land and water."
Tōson's Calligraphy ＜2＞
The other scroll is from the "Wakasenshū" collection, with the inscription: "Being at Itouya, noting the sound of the old poem tide. Inviting and gathering all kinds of waves, when it fills with time, the calm waves of the spring sea."
Life of Tōson and His Wife in Yugawara Onsen
What was the daily life of Tōson and his wife like in Yugawara Onsen? According to a letter from 1938 (Showa 13), "As a daily routine, in the morning, reading takes precedence to the point where it's unclear if I'm here for study. From 3 o'clock in the afternoon, we go for a walk." Mrs. Shizuko would adjust their stays, making sure not to disturb her husband for about a day.
"Whenever we arrived at Yugawara Station, for some reason, we felt completely liberated from everything," writes Mrs. Shizuko. Her words express a sense of relief, distancing themselves from the dark shadows and illusions of the Shimazaki family that Tōson carried, allowing them to forget and find solace.