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Ishiyama-dera Temple

滋賀県

Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage 第13番札所

The temple where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have …

Founded

747

Type

Temple

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滋賀県大津市石山寺1-1-1

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Temple

Founded 747

1279 years

Overview

The temple where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have conceived The Tale of Genji. Built atop striking wollastonite rock formations. The Tahoto (multi-treasure pagoda) is the oldest in Japan and a National Treasure. Founded in 747, this Shingon temple combines dramatic natural geology with elegant Buddhist architecture, and its literary connection to the world's first novel adds a unique cultural dime…

Origins

Founded in 747. The temple where Murasaki Shikibu conceived The Tale of Genji. Built on striking wollastonite rock formations (Natural Monument). The Tahoto pagoda is the oldest in Japan (National Treasure).

Pilgrimage Circuit

A pilgrimage of 33 Kannon temples — the oldest Kannon circuit in Japan, winding through 6 prefectures in the Kinki region and Gifu

Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage

Principal Buddha

Nyoirin Kannon

如

About Nyoirin Kannon

Wooden seated Nyoirin Kannon (Kanshinji, Osaka, National Treasure, early Heian period)

Nyoirin Kannon (Wish-Fulfilling Kannon): grants the prayers of beings, holding the wish-fulfilling jewel (cintāmaṇi) and the Dharma wheel. Typically depicted seated with six arms in a contemplative half-lotus pose.

Kannon Forms · Seven Kannon

聖

Shō

十

Jūichimen

千

Senju

如

Nyoirin

馬

Batō

准

Juntei

不

Fukūkenjaku

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句
Haiku Composed Here
— 1

石山の石より白し秋の風

Matsuo Bashō 1689年

Seasonal word

秋の風（秋）

石山寺の石よりもさらに白い秋風、という鋭い色彩感覚。「奥の細道」帰路・那谷寺の句だが、石山寺詣でも多く句を残した。

記
Related Articles
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記

The World's Oldest Novel, Read for a Thousand Years — Murasaki Shikibu and the Tale of Genji

The Tale of Genji, written by the Heian court lady Murasaki Shikibu, is often called the world's oldest novel. Centering on Hikaru Genji, it portrays the loves and lives of court society — and is still read and translated worldwide a thousand years later.

era

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記

'This World, I Think, Is Indeed My World' — Fujiwara no Michinaga and the Full Moon Poem

In Heian Japan, Fujiwara no Michinaga made three of his daughters empress or crown princess in succession, becoming the supreme power as imperial grandfather. At his peak in 1018, he composed the famous 'full moon' poem expressing power as complete as a moon with nothing lacking.

era

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記

Forms of Kannon: How to Identify Thousand-Armed, Eleven-Faced, and Other Types

Explaining the many forms of Kannon Bodhisattva — Thousand-Armed, Eleven-Faced, Horse-Headed, and Cintamani-Wheel — with a practical guide to Sanjusangendo, Sensoji, Hasedera, and Ishiyamadera, plus Western Japan and Bando pilgrimage routes.

basics

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もっと詳しく · 1

史
Related Historical Events
— 1

1000

Kokufū (National) Culture

After the abolition of embassies to Tang China (894, proposed by Sugawara no Michizane), Japan digested Chinese culture and developed its own aristocratic culture in the 10th-11th centuries, peaking under Fujiwara regent rule. Kana script enabled vernacular literature: Ki no Tsurayuki's "Tosa Diary," Murasaki Shikibu's "Tale of Genji" (world's oldest long novel), Sei Shōnagon's "Pillow Book," Izumi Shikibu's diary, and the "Kokin Wakashū" (905). Shinden-zukuri architecture, twelve-layered kimono, Yamato-e painting, and wayō calligraphy (Three Traces) flourished. Pure Land faith spread Amida imagery.