Minomushi-an
Of the five hermitages in which Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) stayed during his lifetime, Minomushi-an is the only site still standing, albeit as a modern reconstruction. The original structure was built in 1688, an event the poet celebrated with a haiku. Its first line was later used to name the hermitage:
minomushi no
ne o kiki ni koyo
kusa no io
A bagworm,
come hear its cry;
a thatched hut
The house and land originally belonged to Hattori Dohō (1657–1730), one of Bashō’s disciples and a poet in his own right, who later compiled many of Bashō’s writings and teachings into the San-zōshi, or “Three Booklets.” Within the grounds of Minomushi-an are many stone tablets that bear Bashō’s writing.