Ishiteji Temple

Located in Ishite-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, this temple belongs to the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism. It is the 51st temple of the 88 Shikoku Pilgrimage. It was originally called Kumanosan Kokuzo-in An'yo-ji. In 728 (Jinki 5) during the reign of Emperor Shomu, Ochi Tamazumi, the governor of Iyo (Ehime Prefecture), founded the temple as a training center for the protection of the nation by imperial decree, and the principal image of the temple, Yakushi Nyorai, was consecrated by Gyoki in 729 (Tenpyo 1). It was originally a Hosso sect temple, but changed to Shingon Buddhism in 813 (Kōnin 4). According to the legend, the lord Kono Yasutoshi, who descended from the Ochi clan, had a son named Yasukata who would not open his hands. When the boy prayed for at the temple to open his hands, he found that he was holding a small stone with Emon Saburo's name written on it. The stone was donated to the temple and the temple was named Ishite-ji. The temple is the center of the local faith in Daishi and attracts many pilgrims. The Niomon Gate is designated as a national treasure, and there are many other important cultural properties such as the main hall, three-story pagoda, bell tower, and temple bell.

[Masahiro Nomura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

愛媛県松山市石手町にあり、真言宗豊山(ぶざん)派に属する寺。四国八十八か所第51番札所。もとは熊野山(くまのさん)虚空蔵院(こくうぞういん)安養寺と称した。聖武(しょうむ)天皇の728年（神亀5）伊予（愛媛県）の大守越智玉純(おちたまずみ)が勅を奉じて鎮護国家の道場として創建、本尊薬師如来(にょらい)は729年（天平1）行基(ぎょうき)が開眼した。初めは法相(ほっそう)宗であったが、813年（弘仁4）真言宗に改めた。縁起によると、越智家の流れをくむ領主河野息利(やすとし)に嫡子息方(やすかた)が生まれたが、その子の手が開かず、当寺で祈願して開かせたら衛門(えもん)三郎の名を書いた小石を握っていたので、この石を当寺に納め、寺号を石手寺と称するようになったという。当地方の大師信仰の中心として参詣(さんけい)者が多い。仁王門は国宝に指定されるほか、本堂、三重塔、鐘楼、梵鐘(ぼんしょう)など国の重要文化財も多い。

［野村全宏］

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