Monument of Basho’s Sutra Mound

It was built in front of the Genju-an hut ruins in the precinct of Chikatsuo Shrine in 1780. Disciples of Chomu, who is known for his effort for the reconstruction of Gichuji Temple, copied the Lotus Sutra on pebbles, one letter each per pebble. They then buried those pebbles to pray for Matsuo Basho’s soul to rest in peace. A monument with Basho’s poem on the left, another one of the Genjuan hut ruins in the center, and this Monument of Basho’s Sutra Mound is placed on the right.