Eisanji Temple

This Shingon sect temple is located in Kojimacho, Gojo City, Nara Prefecture. It is called Gakushozan and was formerly called Sakiyamadera. It was founded by En no Ozunu. It is said to have been founded by Fujiwara Muchimaro in 719 (Yoro 3). As the family temple of the Fujiwara clan, it attracted much reverence and flourished with vast temple land. All of the buildings except for the octagonal hall were burned down at the end of the Sengoku period, and the main hall, Amida hall, and others were later rebuilt. It was originally a branch temple of Kofuku-ji Temple, but after the Genroku period (1688-1704), it became a branch temple of Gokoku-ji Temple in Edo. The principal image, the seated Yakushi Nyorai statue, the twelve heavenly generals statues, the stone lantern, and the seven-story stone pagoda are all designated as important cultural properties by the national government. The octagonal hall (national treasure) was built in the Tenpyo period (729-749) and is said to have been made by Nakamaro, the son of Takechimaro. The temple bell (national treasure), inscribed by Ono no Michikaze, was originally from Docho-ji Temple in Yamashiro Province (Kyoto Prefecture) and is known as a famous bell.

[Kanaoka Hidetomo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

奈良県五條(ごじょう)市小島町にある真言宗豊山(ぶざん)派の寺。学晶山(がくしょうざん)と号する。古くは前山寺(さきやまでら)と称した。開基は役小角(えんのおづぬ)。719年（養老3）藤原武智麻呂(むちまろ)の創建と伝える。藤原氏の氏寺として多くの尊崇を集め、広大な寺領を有して栄えた。戦国時代末期に八角堂を除くすべての堂宇を焼失し、のち本堂、阿弥陀(あみだ)堂などが再建された。元来は興福寺の末寺であったが、元禄(げんろく)（1688～1704）以後は江戸・護国寺の末寺となる。本尊の薬師如来坐像(やくしにょらいざぞう)、十二神将像、石灯籠(いしどうろう)、石造七重塔は国指定重要文化財。八角堂（国宝）は天平(てんぴょう)時代（729～749）の建築で、武智麻呂の子仲麻呂(なかまろ)の作と伝えられる。また小野道風(とうふう)銘の梵鐘(ぼんしょう)（国宝）は、もと山城(やましろ)国（京都府）道澄寺(どうちょうじ)のもので名鐘として知られる。

［金岡秀友］

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