Ishiyamadera Temple

Ishiyamadera Temple is the 13th of 33 sacred temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. It is famous for its scenery as seen in the painting “Ishiyama no Shugetsu” (The Autumn Moon at Ishiyama) as part of the “Omi Hakkei” (Eight Views of Omi) series. The temple was built on top of a huge formation of wollastonite (a natural monument), which is rarely seen in Japan. The temple was founded in the Nara era by Buddhist High Priest Roben on behalf of an imperial prayer made by Emperor Shomu. It is the main temple of the Toji Shingon sect of Buddhism. Pilgrimages to Ishiyamadera became popular during the Heian era (794-1185), and people would spend the night at the temple, retiring to the Kannon-do hall for prayer. The temple has appeared in works from Sei Shonagon and Izumi Shikibu among others and became a setting where literature by female authors bloomed. Among these authors is Murasaki Shikibu, famous for authoring The Tale of Genji. She stayed at the temple and came up with the idea for The Tale of Genji while gazing at the full moon. The room that Shikibu used when writing The Tale of Genji still remains to this day. The temple has also been visited by famous Haiku poet Matsuo Basho and novelist Toson Shimazaki. Ishiyamadera Temple is home to a main hall, two-storied pagoda, and other cultural properties. Also famous for its flowers including cherry blossoms, azalea, and iris, Ishiyamadera Temple abounds with spectacular sights to enjoy.