The Three Views of Japan

The most representative scenic spots in Japan, which became popular in the late modern period and were known as the "Three Views of Japan," are Miyajima (Itsukushima) in Aki (Hiroshima Prefecture), Amanohashidate in Tango (Kyoto Prefecture), and Matsushima in Rikuzen (Miyagi Prefecture). Both are coastal landscapes surrounded by rocky and sandy beaches and covered with either coniferous or broadleaf forests, and are well-suited to Japanese-style scenic spots (both are Special Places of Scenic Beauty). Itsukushima is part of a fault zone stretching from Sanyo to the Seto Inland Sea, and is a granite mountain separated by a fault. The highest peak is Mt. Misen (530 meters). The entire island is covered with a primeval forest of evergreen broadleaf trees, mainly oaks, creating a plant landscape unique to Japan (a national natural monument). Amanohashidate is a sandbar formed by the currents and winds flowing through Miyazu Bay, a subsidence bay with faults, and is covered with black pine forests. Matsushima is an archipelago bay where hills made of tuff have been separated by faults into countless large and small islands, and is covered with red pine forests.

These scenic spots have been selected as important sites for shrines and temples throughout history, and Itsukushima is home to a series of Heian-style shrine buildings built by the Taira clan during the Kamakura period, and is home to numerous sutras, swords, and ancient sacred treasures (all national treasures and important cultural properties), and it forms the base of Seto Inland Sea National Park.

In Matsushima, there are the Godaido Hall (an important cultural property) built by the Date clan, as well as the various halls of Zuiganji Temple (a representative example of Momoyama architecture and a national treasure) nearby, and Chionji Temple (the temple of Manjusri of Wisdom) in Amanohashidate. Thus, in addition to outstanding natural scenic beauty, the Three Most Views of Japan also have a deep history.

[Yukio Asaka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

日本におけるもっとも代表的な景勝地であり、近世後期に名数呼称が盛んになって「日本三景」と称された、安芸(あき)（広島県）の宮島(みやじま)（厳島(いつくしま)）、丹後(たんご)（京都府）の天橋立(あまのはしだて)、陸前(りくぜん)（宮城県）の松島(まつしま)をいう。ともに海岸の風景で、岩浜や砂浜で囲まれ、針葉・広葉いずれかの樹林で覆われて日本式景勝の特色をよく備えている（ともに特別名勝）。厳島は山陽から瀬戸内海にわたる断層地帯の一部にあたり、断層で分離された花崗(かこう)岩の山で、最高峰は弥山(みせん)（530メートル）、全島がカシを主とした常緑広葉樹の原始林で覆われ、日本特有の植物景観（国の天然記念物）をなしている。天橋立は、断層を伴う沈降性海湾の宮津湾内を流れる潮流と風によって形成された砂州(さす)で、クロマツ林で覆われる。松島は、凝灰岩からなる丘陵が断層によって大小無数の島々に分離した多島湾で、アカマツ林に覆われる。

　これらの景勝地は、歴史の動きのなかで有力な社寺地に選ばれ、厳島には平氏により鎌倉時代に建築された平安様式の諸社殿が連なり、数多い経巻や太刀(たち)・古神宝類を蔵し（すべて国宝・重要文化財）、瀬戸内海国立公園の拠点をなしている。

　松島には伊達(だて)氏による五大堂（重要文化財）のほか近くに瑞巌寺(ずいがんじ)の諸堂（桃山建築の代表、国宝）があり、天橋立には智恩(ちおん)寺（智恵の文殊(もんじゅ)）がある。こうして日本三景には、卓抜した自然景勝に、歴史の深みも加えられている。

［浅香幸雄］

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