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The main gate of Ishiyama-dera.

Looking out from the main hall of Ishiyama-dera.

Nao-san navigates the winding path that descends from the upper precincts of Ishiyama-dera.

The Genji-no-ma room, part of the main hall of Ishiyama-dera.

The emperor wished to build a grand temple for Kannon closer to Nara, but Rōben insisted that they continue to worship on the sacred rock formation.

In 749 Ishiyama-dera (石山寺) was officially founded, continuing to double as a lumber (and now gold) distribution site for Tōdai-ji.
#Ishiyamadera

The main precincts of Ishiyama-dera in autumn.

Momiji add a welcome splash of colour to the rock formations at Ishiyama-dera.

A path of lanterns erected for the autumn festival light-up event at Ishiyama-dera.

Red leaves and mossy rocks - Ishiyama-dera.

A new site for the Great Buddha was selected in (what is now) Nara, and construction began from scratch.

The influential priest Rōben (良弁 689-774) was made superintendent of the project, working from a lumber distribution centre called Ishiyama (石山) in (what is now) Shiga.
#Ishiyamadera #石山寺 #Japan

Autumn at Ishiyama-dera.

The strange formation of rocks Ishiyama-dera is constructed around has been worshipped since ancient times.

Momiji add a splash of colour to the wollastonite rock formations at Ishiyama-dera.

Autumn colours beneath the raised veranda at Ishiyama-dera.

🙏🪙GOLD & GENJI😇📖

although my heart
is little concerned
with the next life,
Kannon’s vow is as heavy
as this Stone Mountain
後の世を 願うこころは かろくとも ほとけの誓い おもき石山

-Emperor Kazan's (花山天皇 967-1008) go-eika (御詠歌) for Ishiyama-dera (石山寺).

#石山寺 #Ishiyamadera #Shiga #滋賀県 #Japan #autumn #MurasakiShikibu