6.戸長里の草木塔

米沢市指定有形民俗文化財平成（平成二十四年三月二十九日　指定）

　本草木塔は、文化4年(1807)の建立であり、旧国道121号線に面した山側に基壇を構築したところに他の七基の石塔とともに並び立っている。いずれの石塔も近辺に点在していたものを集約して移設したとされる。

　碑文は塔頂部に阿閦如来を意味する梵字（種子）の「ウン」を置き、中央に「草木供養塔」とある。向かって右側に「文化四丁卯」「當村」、左側に「8月8日」「講中」と刻まれており、建立年月日と所在する入田沢村講中が建立したことが知られる。

　草木塔と同じ建立年月日の湯殿山の石塔があり、関係性が注目される。また、草木塔を含む諸講中の祭祀は村で一括して管理運営を行っていた可能性が高く、江戸時代後期の庶民信仰の盛んな様子が窺われる。

※「米沢デジタルマップ」の使い方はこちらをご確認ください。

No.6 Tochori SOMOKUTO (AD 1807)

This SOMOKUTO was erected in AD 1807.

It stands together with seven other stone monuments on a stone platform constructed on the mountainside facing the former National Route 121. It is believed that these monuments were originally scattered throughout the surrounding area and were later gathered and relocated to this site.

At the top of the monument is carved the Sanskrit seed syllable “Un,” symbolizing Akshobhya Buddha. In the center is engraved “SOMOKUKUYOTO.”

On the right side are inscribed “1807” and “This Village,” and on the left side are inscribed “August 8” and “Religious Association.” These inscriptions indicate the date of construction and that the monument was erected by the religious association of Iritazawa Village.

Nearby stands a stone monument dedicated to Mount Yudono bearing the same date of construction, indicating a close relationship between the two.

It is also highly likely that the religious activities of various local associations, including those related to this SOMOKUTO, were collectively managed by the village.

This suggests that popular religious practices flourished in this area during the late Edo period.