Konzenji Temple in Tsuruga city, Fukui, is located at the foot of Mt. Kanegasaki, and where a fierce battle between the Ashikaga Army (Northern Court) and the Nitta Army (Southern Court) was fought in the 14th century. Renowned Japanese poet of the Edo period, Matsuo Basho, visited Tsuruga in 1689 and visited this temple. Upon hearing the tragic story of the defeated Nitta Army and its bell, which was used in the battle to signal soldiers, and then was later sunk in the sea by Nitta Yoshisada when he escaped from Kanegasaki Castle, Matsuo Basho wrote a poem; 'Where is the moon? A bell sank to the bottom of the sea': a poem in which Basho empathized with the tragic fate of the Nitta Army. To commemorate Basho's visit here, a stone monument was built on its premises in 1761, and on this monument Basho's poem was carved.
- 1 min read
Basho's Poem and Konzenji Temple
Stone monument of Basho's poem on Nitta Army's sad fate
Join the discussion
Victoria Vlisides
8 years ago
Thanks for all the info! Wonderful feature, as usual, Takako.
Thank you Victoria for reading my article!
Thank you Meredith!
Meredith Lescoe
9 years ago
Insightful history snippets as always. Nice piece!
Top Articles
-
![2024 Grand Sumo Tournaments]( "2024 Grand Sumo Tournaments")
12024 Grand Sumo Tournaments
Culture -
![Mount Omuro]( "Mount Omuro")
2Mount Omuro
Shizuoka -
![Extraordinary Experiences in the Great Nature of Izu-Oshima, the Closest Island From Central Tokyo]( "Extraordinary Experiences in the Great Nature of Izu-Oshima, the Closest Island From Central Tokyo")
3Extraordinary Experiences in the Great Nature of Izu-Oshima, the Closest Island From Central Tokyo
Tokyo - Sponsored -
![Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route]( "Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route")
4Kurobe Unazuki Canyon Route to Link with Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
News -
![Yuranza]( "Yuranza")
5Yuranza
Culture - Sponsored -
![Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List]( "Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List")
6Tokyo Takes 2nd Place on Top Coffee Cities List
Food -
![Tokyo Named #1 City for Food and Drink]( "Tokyo Named #1 City for Food and Drink")
7Tokyo Named #1 City for Food and Drink
News -
![Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction]( "Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction")
8Valley of Witches: a New Ghibli Park Attraction
Aichi -
![2-Day Hachijojima Retreat: Recharge Your Mind and Body]( "2-Day Hachijojima Retreat: Recharge Your Mind and Body")
92-Day Hachijojima Retreat: Recharge Your Mind and Body
Tokyo - Sponsored -
![Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities]( "Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities")
10Tokyo One of the World's Most Walkable Cities
Transportation
-
![Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan]( "Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan")
1Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
![Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo]( "Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo")
2Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
![Hachiko Statue in Shibuya]( "Hachiko Statue in Shibuya")
3Hachiko Statue in Shibuya
Tokyo -
![Iwatayama Monkey Park]( "Iwatayama Monkey Park")
4Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
![Shibuya Crossing]( "Shibuya Crossing")
5Shibuya Crossing
Tokyo -
![Daikoku Car Meet]( "Daikoku Car Meet")
6Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
![Guide to PASMO Cards]( "Guide to PASMO Cards")
7Guide to PASMO Cards
Guide -
![Kanamara Penis Festival]( "Kanamara Penis Festival")
8Kanamara Penis Festival
Kanagawa -
![Guide to Suica Cards]( "Guide to Suica Cards")
9Guide to Suica Cards
Transportation -
![Japanese Urban Legends]( "Japanese Urban Legends")
10Japanese Urban Legends
Culture
