Sacred mountain

Japanese: 霊山 - りょうぜん

<br /> This 825m mountain stands on the border between Ishida and Oishi in Reizan-cho, Date City, Fukushima Prefecture, and Tamano in Soma City. It is a basalt lava plateau and is surrounded by sheer cliffs, making it a natural fortress, and Reizan Castle was built as a base for the Southern Court during the Nanboku-cho period. It was designated as a national historic site and scenic spot in 1934 (Showa 9). Reizan was founded in the early Heian period by the third Tendai abbot, Jikaku Daishi Ennin (794-864), and flourished as a base for the Tendai sect. In 1337 (Engen 2) during the Nanboku-cho period, Kitabatake Akiie built Reizan Castle in honour of Prince Yoshiyoshi (later Emperor Go -Murakami). It became a major base for the Southern Court in the Ou region, and the provincial capital of Mutsu Province was established there. The castle fell in 1347 (Shohei 2) and disappeared from the forefront of history. Currently, the cornerstones of the kokushi-tate (the residence of provincial government officials) remain on the summit. The Hie-sha Kannon-do Hall on the premises is a relic from the past. To get to the remains of Ryozen Castle, take the Fukushima Kotsu bus from Fukushima Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen or other lines and get off at Gyoaido, then walk for about an hour.

Source: Kodansha National Historic Site Guide Information

Japanese:

福島県伊達市霊山町石田、霊山町大石と相馬市玉野との境にそびえる標高825mの山。玄武岩の熔岩台地であり、周囲を断崖絶壁に囲まれているため自然の城郭となり、南北朝時代に南朝の拠点として霊山城が築かれた。1934年（昭和9）に国の史跡および名勝として指定された。霊山は平安時代初期に第3代天台座主、慈覚大師円仁（794～864年）によって開かれ、天台宗の拠点として栄えた。南北朝時代の1337年（延元2）、北畠顕家(あきいえ)が義良(のりなが)親王（後の後村上天皇）を奉じて霊山城を築いた。奥羽地方における南朝方の一大拠点となり、陸奥国の国府が置かれた。1347年（正平2）に落城し、以後、歴史の表舞台から消えた。現在、山頂に国司舘（国府の役人の住居）の礎石が残っている。域内の日枝社観音堂は往時をしのぶ遺構である。霊山城跡へは、JR東北新幹線ほか福島駅から福島交通バス「行合道」下車、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

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