In front of the third gate of Taisanji Temple

"The spring rain is drizzling
From the spacious sky and drip down
along the twig of willow"

(Basho)

"The monument of Yanagi Mound
Was built just on the second day
in the middle of October"

(Chikuou, the old disciple of Basho)

This Basho's Haiku monument was built at the 50th anniversary of his death, in 1743 (Kanpo 3). The inscription on the upside of right of this monument said ;
"The 50th anniversary of Basho's death, Yanagi Mound."
And the epitaph carved as "The old disciple of Basho", said ;
"Built by the disciples of Basho in Kanpo 3."
"Yanagi Mound" is the oldest Haiku monument being parallel with "Shimoya Mound" in the precincts of Taihoji Temple in Kuma-cho, the holy temple of 44th sacred place in Shikoku.
This monument is the moss-covered natural stone about one meter high and stand in front of "Kannon of fall" at the third gate to ascending to Main building of Taisanji Temple. This monument is also called "Ame-yanagi Mound".
Basho's Haiku was composed in the spring of 1694 (Genroku 7), in latest in his life.
It had been said that Basho looked the hazy scenery of willow around "Daibutsu" in Kyoto, in the spring rain and he composed this Haiku later. This Haiku expressed the look of that the drizzling spring rain from the spacious sky dripped down along the twig of the willow.
Chikuou may be the Haiku originator Mitsu, but the details are unknown. Basho died at Osaka on Oct.12, 1694 (Genroku 7). "The second day in the middle of October" fell on Oct.12. Chikuou composed this Haiku putting in Basho's deathday, when he built this monument of Haiku of "Yang ; willow" on the 50th anniversary of Basho's death. This monument is located at this left side of the approach path to the stone stair of the temple gate.

In addition to this Basho's mound, there are "Hanaire Mound" (Ishiteji Temple), "Yanagi Mound" (Taisanji Temple), "Shimoya Mound" (Kuma-Taihouji Temple), "Sakura Mound" (Itsukushima Shrine), "Arakabu Mound" (Miho Shrine) and others.

 "Shimoyo Mound" in the precincts of the 44th temple regularly visited by
pilgrims in Shikoku, Daihoji Temple, in Kuma-cho :

 "Taking the medicine, for all
           I rest my head on the pillow
                   in this very frosty night"
 This Haiku composed on Nov.11, 1687 (Teiryo 4), and appeared in Basho's
travel records, "Kyu-no-shobun", when he was staying at Atami on the way of
his travel.
 The meaning of this Haiku ;
 "Though I travel in high spirits, I am struck down by my chronic disease
and took medicines in this lonely frosty night. Even more coldness come to
me and I feel so helpless."

 By the way, Santoka, who went on a pilgrimage of Shikoku starting at
Matsuyama, arrived to this place at last and composed the following Haiku.

 "Paying a visit to the temple in morning
          The leaves of ginkgo are scattering
                 On the approach for only me"
                                                         (Santoka)