Hieizan(Mt.Hiei),extending its skirts to the northeastern edge of Kyôto City,has Enryakuji on the top of it. Enryakuji once had been one of the most influential temples in Japan and many monks studied Buddhism here, some of whom later became founders of new Buddhist sects,like Hônen as the founder of Jôdoshû(Jôdo Sect),Nichiren as Nichirenshû(Nichiren Sect),and Shinran as Jôdoshinshû(Jôdo-shin Sect).

This mountain,which is a little lower than Mt.Atago,had also played a role of a stronghold for many times in history.When military troops invaded into Kyôto,the opponents sometimes climbed it up,guarded themselves,and then tried to hit back.
In the period when Oda Nobunaga(1534-1582),a warlord who almost reached the point of reunification of Japan at the end of the Sengoku period(in the second half of 15c-late 16c),ruled Kyôto,his opponents also entered into it,and tried to disturb his troops.
So,Nobunaga demanded Enryakuji to expel them out of the mountain,but monks refused,due to their priding themselves on the supreme Buddhist authority in this country and therefore their supposing that no one dares to defy it.
But against their presupposition,this refusal got blown up Nobunaga and he ordered his men to burn every temple and shrine in Mt.Hiei down and kill people living in it regardless of age or gender,and indiscriminately whether laics or monks.
Under his order troops rushed in the mountain and executed devastation...
In Japan a battle often occured between the one side guarding themselves in the mountain and the other side climbing it up and trying to attack,like this campaign called "Enryakuji Yakiuchi"(Burning down Enryakuji).

Although his troops once rose it up (probably)rapidly with armors and weapons like katanas or yaris(lances),now even only with a small backpack carring on my back,climbing this 848-meters-high mountain up to the top is somewhat a laborsome excercise for me.

Near the top.A kind of kikyô flowers(bellflower).	Kikyô flowers in late summer.
Nanafushi,or stick-insect.	At Kitayama(hills west of Mt.Hiei).Trees of nemu(silk tree) bear flowers.

-Taken in Aug,2001-

MEMO
The cable railways at both east and west side of Mt.Hiei can easily lead you to the top.
To climb it on foot,however,would need some labor.
So never try to climb it up on foot without a scrupulous plan and a careful preparation in advance,as you try to climb other mountains up.