 It has 40 buildings within its sprawling temple precinct.Ishiyama-dera, a Shingon temple, was founded in 749 by the monk Rōben (689 – 773).Ishiyama-dera is traditionally thought to be the site where Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 – c. 1014 or 1025) began writing "The Tale of Genji".The temple is noted for its large collection of early Buddhist manuscripts.