Eight Views of Omi: Autumn Moon at Ishiyamadera Temple
Ishiyamadera Temple in Otsu was famous for its view over Lake Biwa even before the advent of the Eight Views of Omi. The dedicated moon-viewing area at the highest point of the mountainside temple is believed to be the spot from which noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu saw the moon over the water and was inspired to write The Tale of Genji in the eleventh century.
Of the woodblock prints of this view by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858), the best known is the Hoeido edition, which shows the full moon on a clear night. The mountain dominates the foreground and the Seta no Karahashi Bridge stretches across the water in the background. The temple’s moon-viewing area and main hall are also visible.
The scene remains captivating today, although now there are many more buildings on both sides of the lake. Ishiyamadera still hosts evening moon viewings, although it may be difficult to find a suitable vantage point identical to Hiroshige’s print.