Raw data
Risshakuji is said to have been founded on Mt Hôju in Dewa Province as a subtemple of Enryakuji (Hieizan) by Abbott Ennin in 860. It had over a hundred monks at the height of its prosperity in the Edo period (1600–1868). The main object of worship is Yakushi Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru).
— Uryû (2003: 28)
Risshushakuji is known for its “eternal flame” donated by Enryakuji (Hieizan), and for its stone stairs with over a thousand steps leading up the steep incline of the mountain through plantain trees. Today, the central hall (Konpon chûdô) dates to 1356. There is an important wooden sculpture of founder Ennin (Jikaku Daishi), and a cavern where he practiced meditation.
- “Yamadera kankô kyôkai” http://www.yamaderakankou.com/
Input by: Lizbeth H. Piel, Aug 16, 2010
Final data (and their sources)
Last updated: 09 Jul 2014
Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.
General location of the Risshakuji monastery, JP.
Lat 38.311944 Long 140.434722
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2010.
Google Map link:
Final data - explanatory notes
1. Monastery's name
- Risshakuji 立石寺. Alternative English spelling: Risshaku-ji
2. Monastery's modern country & province
- Japan: Yamagata Prefecture
3. Monastery's alternative/historical names
- Hôjusan — Uryû (2003: 28)
- Yamadera — Uryû (2003: 28)
- Yama-dera (山寺, lit. "Mountain Temple") - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama-dera
4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates
- Approx., Lat 38.311944 Long 140.434722 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama-dera
5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries
- [missing data]
6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village
- Yamagata-shi (Yamagata City), Yamadera
7. The settlement's alternative/historical names
- Much of Yamagata Prefecture was historically called Dewa Province - Nihon chimei jiten (1998: 1216).
8. The settlement's coordinates
- Approx. Lat 38.2528 Long 140.3375 - http://www.fallingrain.com/world/JA/44/Yamagata.html
9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition
- Mahayana
10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition
- Tendai
11. Date-early
- 860 - Uryû (2003: 28)
MBM chrono-tag 0833-66c - tmciolek 09 Jul 2014
0833-66c 0867-99c 0900-32c 0933-66c 0967-99c 1000-32c 1033-66c 1067-99c 1100-32c 1133-66c 1167-99c 1200=> dated-el
12. Date-intermediate
- [missing data]
13. Date-late
- 17th century - Uryû (2003: 28)
MBM chrono-tag 1200=> - tmciolek 09 Jul 2014
14. Details of contacts with other monasteries
- A subtemple of Enryakuji (Hieizan) in Shiga Prefecture — Uryû (2003: 28)
15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery
- Architecture, documents
16. Additional notes
- Over 100 monks in the Edo period (1600–1868) — Uryû (2003: 28)
17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by
- [missing data]
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