Grave of TODA Mosui

TODA Mosui (1629-1706) is a Waka poet in the Genroku age of the Edo period. He was born the 6th son to WATANABE Kenmotsu Tada in Sunpu-jo Castle, and was adopted by his uncle TODA Masatsugu after his father's death. His original name was Tanomu, but he changed own name into Yasumitsu later. His pseudonym is Moemon or Mosui.

He had served under HONDA family, Mikawa Okazaki Domain for a period, but became a monk and lived near Senso-ji Temple. He is known as an aggressive critic of the traditional poem study in name only. His most important works are the topography "Murasaki no Hitomoto",the chronicle "Gotodai-ki", the book of poem study "Nashinomotoshu",etc.

His gravestone was found at Bansho-in Temple in Ushigome area and was moved in Asakusa Park in 1913. The gravestone is composed of three parts: from the bottom, the base made of natural stone, the foundation stone of Hokyointo pagoda and the Gorin-to pagoda.This Gorin-to pagoda was built by Toda Mosui himself before his death for the repose of his soul; such pagoda is called Gyakushu-to pagoda.