Amanohashidate

A sandbar that separates Miyazu Bay, which faces the Sea of ​​Japan, from Aso Sea in northern Kyoto Prefecture. It is also written as "Amanohashidate." The name Amanohashidate was first seen in the "Tango no Kuni Fudoki," and it has been famous as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan since ancient times, along with Matsushima and Miyajima, and has been designated a special place of scenic beauty. Amanohashidate stretches southwest from Ejiri on the west coast of Miyazu Bay to Monju on the opposite shore, with a total length of about 3.3 kilometers and a width of 40 to 100 meters. It was created by the accumulation of sand carried by the tides and winds flowing through the bay, and is the land of white sand and green pines depicted in Sesshu's "Amanohashidate," a work he created in his later years. There are more than 7,000 pines planted, and it is also known as a "poem of poetry." The area between the tip of the sandbar and Monju is called "Monju no Kireto" (Monju's Cutting Door), a narrow waterway with a swing bridge built over it for easy boat passage. The Monju area is a temple town of Chion-ji Temple, also known as "Monju of Wisdom," and is home to many hotels. Kasamatsu Park behind Ejiri offers excellent views of Amanohashidate and is known for its "Peek-a-Boo" (Looking Between Your Legs). On Mount Nariai to the northwest is Nariai-ji Temple, the 28th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

[Takeo Oda]

"Asahi Encyclopedia: Japan's National Treasures, Special Edition: A Journey through National Treasures and History 11: A Journey through the Amanohashidate Painting - Sesshu's Memories" (2001, Asahi Shimbun Company)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

京都府北部、日本海に臨む宮津湾と阿蘇海(あそかい)を隔てる砂州(さす)。「天ノ橋立」とも記す。天橋立の名は早く『丹後国風土記(たんごのくにふどき)』にみられ、松島、宮島とともに古来日本三景の一つとして名高く、特別名勝に指定されている。天橋立は、宮津湾西岸の江尻(えじり)から対岸の文珠(もんじゅ)に向かって南西に延び、全長約3.3キロメートル、幅40～100メートル。湾内を流れる潮流と風によって運ばれた砂の堆積(たいせき)によるもので、雪舟(せっしゅう)の晩年の作『天橋立図』に描かれた白砂青松の地であり、7000本余のマツが植えられ、歌枕(うたまくら)としても知られる。砂州の先端と文珠との間は「文殊の切戸(きれと)」とよばれ、狭い水路をなし、通船に便利なように回旋橋が架けられている。文珠地区は「知恵の文珠」とよばれる智恩寺の門前町で、旅館街をなしている。また江尻の背後にある傘松公園(かさまつこうえん)は天橋立の展望に優れ、「股(また)のぞき」で知られる。北西の成相(なりあい)山には西国三十三所28番札所の成相寺がある。

［織田武雄］

『『朝日百科　日本の国宝　別冊　国宝と歴史の旅11　「天橋立図」を旅する――雪舟の記憶』（2001・朝日新聞社）』

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