Mount Minobu - Minobusan

A mountain in Minobu-cho, Minamikoma-gun, Yamanashi Prefecture. It is 1,153 meters above sea level. The summit is a flat surface believed to be a relic of a quasi-plain, and is home to the inner sanctuary of Kuon-ji Temple. The east and west of the mountain range are bounded by faults and have steep slopes, with the lower part of the mountain being made up of andesite and amphibole, and the upper part of agglomerate. The entire mountain is Kuon-ji Temple property, and is home to a beautiful cedar forest. A ropeway runs from the west of Kuon-ji Temple to the summit, which offers excellent views to the east. When people refer to Mt. Minobu, they generally mean Kuon-ji Temple, which is located in the mountains. It is the head temple of the Nichiren sect, and was founded on the day Nichiren built a hermitage in Nishitani in 1274 (Bun'ei 11), and was relocated to its current location by the 11th abbot, Niccho. The nearly 300-step stone staircase within the mountain known as Bodai Ladder, the Soshido Hall located on the steps, the large temple buildings such as the Great Main Hall, and the 32 temples in the Higashidani and Nishidani valleys all harmonize with their surroundings and display a solemn beauty that attracts not only believers but also tourists.

[Minoru Yoshimura]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

山梨県南巨摩(みなみこま)郡身延町にある山。標高1153メートル。山頂部は準平原遺物とされる平坦(へいたん)面からなり、久遠(くおん)寺の奥の院がある。山地の東と西は断層により限られ急斜面で、山体の下部は安山岩、角閃玢(かくせんひん)岩、上方は集塊岩などからなる。全山久遠寺領で、杉林が美しい。また東方の展望に優れる山頂には久遠寺の西方からロープウェーが運行している。一般に身延山という場合、この山中にある久遠寺を意味する。日蓮(にちれん)宗の総本山で、日蓮が1274年（文永11）西谷に草庵(そうあん)を構えた日を開闢(かいびゃく)とし、11世日朝(にっちょう)により現在の地に移転改修された。山内の菩提梯(ぼだいてい)とよぶ300段に近い石段、段上の祖師堂、大本堂などの大伽藍(がらん)群、東谷、西谷の32の坊などが周辺と調和し、森厳な美しさをみせ、信者ばかりでなく観光客をも引き付ける。

［吉村　稔］

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