On Wednesday, 8 October we held a visit to Negishi “Shikian”, the former residence of Masaoka Shiki, a famous Haiku poet who contributed to the modernization of Haiku and Tanka. We had 24 members including Ambassador’s wife, Mme. Louise Beschoor Plug-Wesseling. Shikian stands secretly at the corner nearby Uguisudani. Mrs. Naoko Saito, the board chairperson of Shikian conservation society, received us with heartful hospitality. We learned a lot about Shiki’s personality, e.g. ＊His original job was a newspaper reporter. ＊He had a serious illness, pulmonary tuberculosis but he loved eating which made him live longer than expected. ＊Shikian was a “salon” where many of his literary friends gathered and exchanged their opinion. In the garden we saw loofah on trellis and autumn flowers. Our heart was warmed as if we visited our old home owing to the personality of Masaoka Shiki and his supporters.