Fukio Shiba was a haiku poet born in Matsuno, and some of his works are about the trains on the Yodo Line. For example, there’s a poem where he writes, “you can see the steam train come, then go while planting a field.” In order to prepare the ground for planting, the farmers would use a large hoe to loosen the soil.

There were people all around the fields that were quietly doing that. When the train slowly passed by, black smoke billowing, some of them would take a break to straighten their backs and watch it, while others would continue their work. That’s the kind of image packed into the line that Fukio composed.
There are other poems about the train, including these:

“The passing steam train, the buttercups, children, and men in the fields.”
“The smoke from the train and the picked herbs embrace my face.”
“When the steam train arrives, Yakiyama is clear.”

As you go through the memorial hall, try picturing the feelings these people had while writing these poems.