Theme History
Route
Poem-engraved Monuments
Along the 15-minute route from Shin-Kobe to Nunobiki Falls are historical spots such as the national-designated important cultural property, Isago Bridge,
and the Ontaki Chaya tea house established in 1914. Nunobiki Falls, along with Nachi Falls in Kumano and Kegon Falls in Nikko, are collectively known as the Three Great Waterfalls of Japan.
Among them, Nunobiki Falls is the oldest, with its name widely known since the Heian period.
In the early Heian period (around the end of the 9th century), the Ise Monogatari (The Tale of Ise) talked about the visit to the falls by the aristocrat and poet brothers Ariwara-no-Yukihira
and Narihira, making this waterfall a famous scenic spot.
Since then, many poets have visited and composed poems about the charming Nunobiki area. Stroll around the area while discovering its history by visiting the monuments engraved with the sentiments of these poets.
History
History
Nunobiki Falls has been visited by numerous aristocrats and poets since the Heian period, with many famous poems carved into the stone monuments here.
Along the five hiking trails of the falls are the Nunobiki 36 Poem Monuments, which feature famous poems written from the Heian period to the Edo period.
These monuments were originally erected by a civic group called Hanazonosha during the Meiji era, but they were subsequently lost.
Kobe City has progressively worked on their restoration, and in 2007, all the monuments were restored.
Spot
Sights and Landmarks
"The white threads of Nunobiki Falls, enduring through generations, have welcomed countless visitors over the ages."Fujiwara-no-Yukiyoshi
At the edge beyond crossing the Isago Bridge. This poem, "The white threads of the falls," is from the Shin-chokusen Wakashu (New Imperial Collection of Japanese Poetry),
and its author is Fujiwara-no-Yukiyoshi, a poet from the Kamakura period and a calligrapher of the Sesonji school.
The phrase "The white threads of the falls" metaphorically describes the flowing waterfall as numerous strands of white threads, and "wakuraba" means "as if by chance."
It reflects on how visitors occasionally come by and how many generations have passed since then, depicting the enduring love and appreciation for Nunobiki Falls throughout the years.
"Those who gaze intently, it seems, are the ones who see clearly, in the narrow space between the white beads of foam." – Ariwara-no-Narihira
A poet from the Heian period, and one of the Rokkasen (six major poets). He was a master of passionate waka poetry, composing emotionally rich verses. This poem is also found in the Ise Monogatari. It was composed by Narihira when he was in the village of Ash-iya, his father's domain, and came to see Nunobiki Falls with his friends. It likens the scattered drops of water from the falls to the scattered white beads pierced by a thread.
"My life, is it to end today or tomorrow? Is it worth waiting? How high are the tears falling like a waterfall of sorrow?" – Ariwara-no-Yukihira
Narrow paths and the edge of the bridge. This is a poem by Ariwara-no-Yukihira, the brother of Ariwara-no-Narihira (B: Poem 22).
Found in the Ise Monogatari, it was composed by Ariwara-no-Yukihira when he visited Nunobiki Falls with his brother Ariwara-no-Narihira.
He expresses his despair, comparing the height of his sorrowful tears to Nunobiki Falls.
Yukihira was granted the Ariwara clan name by his father, who feared that he might be embroiled in the strug-gle for the imperial succession, and became a vassal.
In contrast, his younger brother, Narihira, was known for his steadfast character, having served in various local and central government positions.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, he compared the height of the 43-meter-high Ontaki Falls to the tears streaming down his cheeks.
While gazing at the waterfall, one can sense the contrasting emotions of the Ariwara brothers depicted on the facing monuments.
"In the depths of Nunobiki Falls, where the white threads scatter, who is it that I long for, extending my gaze toward the distant mountains?"
"Fireflies and cormorants, at the bay of Ashiya, under the uninterrupted early summer rain, throughout the night, the sky remains stormy." – Kotoba In
Kotoba In, the 82nd Emperor, was the most passionate about waka poetry among all the emperors, and he took the lead in compiling the Shin Kokinshu (New Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry), directing the compilers.
Two poems are engraved on this monument, both said to be inspired by Nunobiki Falls and the village of Ashiya.
Pickup
Distinctive poem-engraved monuments
"Nunobiki Falls reveals itself even amidst the early summer rain where not a gap between the clouds can be seen." – Fujiwara-no-Toshinari
At the point where the long stone steps merge. The author lived to the venerable age of ninety-one, a rarity in ancient times.
After the compilation of the Senzaishu, he served as a senior figure in the poetic world, guiding the younger generation during the Kamakura period.
While he pursued the ideal of mysterious beauty, it even-tually became the fertile ground for a poetic style rich in lingering emotions and sentiments, giving rise to the Shin Kokin Kafu.
The words on this monument were inscribed during the Meiji period by the Zen master Nantenbo Zenji.
"I leave the cloth out to dry on the shelf without depending on anyone. Today, I ponder deeply with my own heart." – Tachibana-no-Nagamori
This poem depicts a white cloth (the waterfall) left out without an owner and being lent to the Vega star on the day of the Tanabata festival.
This rare stone monument, located near Ontaki Chaya, is buried within the stone steps.
Please check out detailed information by using mountain maps or web applications
beforehand and enjoy your fun and safe hiking!
Start from Shin-Kobe Station and head for the viewing platform while touring monuments!
15-25 minutes on foot from Shin-Kobe Station
