Mount Yoshino

Japanese: 吉野山 - よしのやま

<br /> A mountain range in Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture. Located at the northern end of the Omine Mountains, Yoshinoyama is the collective name for the ridge that stretches from Aonega-mine (elevation 857.9m) on the left bank of the Yoshino River to the northwest. Its area is approximately 330,000 ^m2 . It is known as a famous cherry blossom spot, and many tourists visit due to the large number of trees and the difference in flowering season due to the difference in altitude. Ruins include Yoshino Palace, Yoshino Castle from the Nanboku-cho period, and Kinpusenji Temple, the center of Shugendo. Since many religious and political facilities have been operated there since ancient times, it was designated a national historic site and place of scenic beauty in 1924 (Taisho 13). Yoshino Castle as a medieval castle was developed after Emperor Godaigo 's son Prince Moriyoshi raised an army in Yoshino, and the castle was built around Kinpusenji Temple. A dry moat was built on the bridge around the main camp, Zaodo Hall, and a wooden gate was built in front of the Katsutesha Shrine, while Takashiroyama in the rear was used as a defensive castle. In the early modern period, after Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a cherry blossom viewing party in 1594 (the third year of Bunroku), pilgrimages to Yoshino became popular among the general public, including writers such as Matsuo Basho and Motoori Norinaga . Small castle ruins remain in the surrounding areas of Iigai, Tanji, and Muda, but they are thought to be subsidiary castles of Yoshino Castle. In 2004 ( Heisei 16), the area was registered as a World Heritage Site as part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range." Take the ropeway from Yoshino Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line to "Yoshinoyama", then walk for about 10 minutes to Zaodo Hall and about 1 hour to Takagiyama.

Source: Kodansha National Historic Site Guide Information

Japanese:

奈良県吉野郡吉野町吉野山にある山地。大峰山脈の北端に位置する吉野山は、吉野川左岸の青根ケ峰（標高857.9m）から西北に続く尾根の総称。面積は約33万m²。桜の名所として知られ、樹数の多さ、高低差による花期の相違などから多くの観光客が訪れる。遺跡としては吉野宮、南北朝時代の吉野城、修験道の中心金峯山寺(きんぷせんじ)などがあり、古代から信仰・政治上の施設が多く営まれたことから、1924年（大正13）に国の史跡および名勝に指定された。中世城郭としての吉野城は、後醍醐(ごだいご)天皇の皇子護良(もりよし)親王の吉野挙兵以来、金峯山寺の城郭化が進められ、本陣の蔵王堂周辺の大橋には空堀、勝手社前には木戸が設けられ、後方の高城山は詰め城になっていたという。近世になると1594年（文禄3）の豊臣秀吉の花見以降、松尾芭蕉、本居宣長(もとおりのりなが)などの文人墨客をはじめ、一般人の吉野詣が盛んになった。周辺の飯貝、丹治、六田(むだ)などに小規模な城郭遺構が残されているが、吉野城の支城と推定されている。2004年（平成16）には「紀伊山地の霊場と参詣道」として、世界遺産に登録された。近畿日本鉄道吉野線吉野駅からロープウェイ「吉野山」下車、蔵王堂まで徒歩約10分、高城山まで徒歩約1時間。

出典　講談社国指定史跡ガイドについて　情報

<<: Prince Yoshihisa

>>: Yoshino Mikumari Shrine