Ishite-ji


Ishite-ji is a Shingon temple in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. It is Temple 51 on the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage. Its name means Stone Hand Temple. Seven of its structures have been designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.

History

The temple of Annoyō-ji was founded by Gyōki, and converted from a Hossō to a Shingon temple by Kūkai. Rebuilt by the ruler of Iyo Province in the eighth century, many of the temple buildings were destroyed by the Chōsokabe in the sixteenth century. The aetiology sees the temple's name changed to Ishite-ji or stone-hand temple after the tightly-clenched hand of the newborn son of the lord of Iyo Province was opened by a priest from the Annoyō-ji to reveal a stone inscribed "Emon Saburō is reborn".

Buildings