9th & 12th August 2012
Photographed by Kinzoh
Russian Graves
"Saka no Ue no Kumo" was dedicated
to the novel "Clouds Over The Hill" by Shiba Ryotaro,
which tells the story of the local Akiyama brothers
and their roles in defeating the Russians
in the Japanese-Russo War (1904-1905).
A footnote to this conflict is the Russian Cemetery
near Raigoji Temple
with the graves of 98 Russian soldiers,
of the around 6,000 Russian prisoners,
who were held with a fair amount of freedom in Matsuyama.
They could enjoy walking just about freely
in the city and bathing at Dogo Onsen Spa,
which was noted for the oldest hot spa in Japan.
Some got married and started businesses.
Russia was informed about this treatment
and finally Russian soldiers got to shout "Matsuyama"
when they waved the white flag.
the Russian soldiers' cemetery has been kept clean and tidy
for a hundred years by people
from the neighborhood
and the junior high school students nearby.
解説
ロシア人墓地
日露戦争時に捕虜となり
松山で亡くなったロシア人兵士が眠る墓所である。
松山の人々のもてなしの心により、
ロシア人捕虜に対する待遇はとりわけ手厚く、
市民とも盛んに交流があった。
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