[Yamagata Prefecture] Why not enjoy watching the history of safflower culture from Yamaji Temple's "Tateishi-ji"?

the prefectural flower of Yamagata Prefecture the safflower ? Yamagata Prefecture is the number one producer of safflower in Japan. Looking back at history, we can see that Yamagata Prefecture was the number one safflower producing area in Japan as early as the Edo period.

Speaking of scenic spots in Yamagata Prefecture, "Risshakuji Temple in Yamadera" is famous, but there is something interesting to be said for enjoying the history of "Risshakuji Temple in Yamadera" and "Safflower" together, so I would like to introduce it to you.

The view from Yamadera, which many people climb and is said to be spectacular, is interesting in a different way, so it's worth learning about its history

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The place where Basho wrote his poem "The memory of my eyebrows and the red powder flowers"

Risshakuji Temple, a mountain temple in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a famous scenic spot in Yamagata. As its name suggests, the temple is built on a mountain wall, and the Kaisan-do Hall is built in a cliff-like location

On his way to Risshakuji Temple, the master haiku poet Matsuo Basho is said to have composed the poem "The crimson flowers remind me of the eyebrows."

On the way to Yamadera Temple, safflowers bloomed in abundance, and because they resembled the makeup tools used by women to remove their powder, haiku poems were written that evoked images of women

This mountain temple, Risshakuji, is also known as the temple in the sky, and you can reach Okunoin by climbing 1,015 stone steps.It is said that climbing the long and difficult stone steps will erase one's worldly desires

It was during this difficult journey that Matsuo Basho composed this haiku: After climbing the stone steps for an hour, a magnificent view comes into view below, and the beauty of the safflowers must have helped him forget the hardships of the journey

It can be said that Matsuo Basho traveled to Yamadera during the early Edo period, when safflower distribution in Yamagata Prefecture was at its peak

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The beauty of safflowers created by the fertile soil of the Mogami River basin and morning mist

The safflower scenery around here must have been magnificent during the Edo period

Even today, the safflower industry in Yamagata Prefecture is still operating along the Mogami River, making it a valuable industry. What is unique about this industry is that everything from safflower production to dyeing and processing is carried out in various parts of the Mogami River basin

Safflower cultivation takes advantage of the fertile soil of the Mogami River basin and a climate prone to morning mist. Perhaps Matsuo Basho also saw the morning mist and safflower together, and saw the beautiful red of the safflower in the white mist. Perhaps that beauty made him think of women

During the Edo period, safflower was a prized product of Yamagata Prefecture, said to be worth 100 times more than rice and 10 times more than gold, and is said to have brought immense wealth to the region

It would be fascinating to think about the history of the area's prosperity thanks to safflower and enjoy the view from Risshakuji Temple in Yamadera overlooking the Mogami River basin

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Why not take in the beautiful scenery of safflowers and the mountain temple, Risshakuji?

Safflowers bloom from July during the rainy season until the end of the season. They start out yellow, but it's fun to watch them change color from yellow to red

We also recommend visiting Risshakuji Temple on Mount Hoju in Yamagata Prefecture around July. While climbing the arduous stone steps, you can enjoy the same scenery as Matsuo Basho

Risshakuji Temple on Mount Hoshu is a 30-minute drive from Yamagata Station or a 20-minute ride on the JR Senzan Line. It's also conveniently located a 15-minute drive from Yamagata Kita Interchange and a 30-minute drive from Yamagata Airport. From there, you can climb the 1,015 stone steps and feel like you've traveled back in time to the Edo period

In fact, Matsuo Basho wrote the famous haiku here: "The silence of the cicadas' voices seeping into the rocks." The temple grounds, which are said to cover an area of ​​approximately 120,000 square meters, are home to over 30 temples and pagodas that are said to have been rebuilt during the Edo period, so why not take your time to explore them?

Risshakuji Temple <Information>

• Name: Mt. Hoju Risshakuji Temple
• Address: 4456-1 Yamadera, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 999-3301
• Phone number: 023-695-2002
• Official URL: http://www.rissyakuji.jp/

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