Ishizuchi Ko - Ishizuchi Ko

… [Masatane Souma]
[faith]
Mt. Ishizuchi has long been known as a mountain for ascetics. The faith in Mt. Ishizuchi has various characteristics, but the main characteristics are: (1) it was known as a mountain where ascetic monks such as Jakusen (Shakuzen), Josen, Sekisen, Joshen, and Hosen, who appear in the Nihon Ryōiki and Montoku Jitsuroku, practiced asceticism; (2) Zao Gongen, Kumano Gongen, and the Thirty-six Princes are enshrined, and there is a legend that En no Gyoja and Yoshimoto, who practiced asceticism at Mt. Omine, founded this mountain, so it is strongly influenced by the faith in Kumano and Yoshino Mt. Omine; (3) in the early modern period, under the guidance of Ishizuchisan Betsutō Zenjin-ji Temple, Ishizuchi ko groups were formed in various places for the purpose of ascent, centered around guides, and have become established as a custom; and after World War II, many religious organizations were formed, including Ishizuchi Honkyo, which is led by Ishizuchi Shrine, and the Shingon Sect Ishizuchi branch, which is led by Zenjin-ji Temple. Ishizuchi sects have increased since the mid-Edo period, and today they are found in Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Chugoku region.

*Some of the terminology that refers to "Ishizuchi-ko" is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…【相馬 正胤】
［信仰］
　石鎚山は修行者の山として古くから知られてきた。石鎚山信仰は各種の性格を内包しているが，大きな特色としては(1)《日本霊異記》《文徳実録》にでてくる寂仙(灼然)，上仙をはじめ，石仙，常仙，峰仙などの修行僧が修行した山として知られていたこと，(2)蔵王権現，熊野権現，三十六王子がまつられ，役行者や大峰修行をした芳元がこの山を開いたという伝承があるように，熊野および吉野大峰山信仰の影響が強いこと，(3)近世期，石鉄山別当前神寺の指導によって各地に先達を中心に登拝を目的とする石鎚講が結成され，習俗として定着していること，また第2次大戦後には石鎚神社指導の石鎚本教や前神寺指導の真言宗石鎚派をはじめ多くの教団が形成されたことなどをあげることができよう。石鎚講は江戸中期以降増加し，今日では四国，九州，中国地方に分布している。…

※「石鎚講」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報