汐見台は比治山の南東端、陸軍墓地のある日出の台と谷を挟んだ高台に整備されていた展望台跡です。その名の通りかつては眼下に遠浅の海が広がっていましたが、都市化で海は遠のき、成長した木々に視界を阻まれ、気がつけば展望台としての機能はすっかり失われてしまいました。現在はお花見スポット「桜広場」の一部として体裁を保っています。
“Shiomi-dai” is the former site of an observation deck located on the southeastern tip of Hijiyama Hill, on a small plateau separated by a valley from Hide-no-Dai (where the Army Cemetery is located). As the name suggests—"Shiomi-dai" literally means "Tide-viewing Platform"—a vast, shallow sea once spread out below it. However, due to urbanization, the sea receded into the distance, and the growing trees have obstructed the view. Before anyone realized it, the location had completely lost its function as an observation deck. It currently maintains its structure as part of the "Sakura Plaza" (Cherry Blossom Viewing Square), a popular spot for o-hanami.
しかし汐見台に素敵なドラマが隠されていることをご存じでしょうか。現地を訪れると、とある人物の銅像が一見不思議な方向を向いて設置されています。この銅像はマツダの創業者である「松田重次郎翁」の像で、かつては広島の都市発展を見守る象徴として、現在現代美術館が立っている場所に西向き、広島市中心部を見下ろす形で設置されていました。
However, are you aware that a wonderful piece of local history is hidden at “Shiomi-dai”? If you visit the site, you will find a statue of a certain figure installed facing a seemingly strange direction. This is a statue of "Jujiro Matsuda," the founder of Mazda Corporation. It was originally installed facing west, overlooking the center of Hiroshima City, at the site where the Contemporary Art Museum now stands, symbolizing his watch over the city's development.
美術館建設で汐見台への移築を余儀なくされた際、翁像はこれまでと正反対の東方向を見下ろす形に設置し直されたそうです。そしてその視線の先はマツダ本社が良く見える方角となります。つまりこれまでは「広島の街」全体を見守ってもらったけれど、これからは「マツダとその仲間たち」を見守っていただく、という何だかとても粋な計らいに感じられました。
When the construction of the museum forced the statue to be relocated to “Shiomi-dai”, it was reinstalled facing the opposite direction—to the east. This new orientation allows the statue to gaze directly toward the Mazda headquarters. Isn't this a remarkably thoughtful gesture, suggesting that while the founder once watched over "the entire city of Hiroshima," he would now look after "Mazda and its people"?