According to the resident, 'Murasaki Shikibu was a daughter of the governor of Ecchu (the governor of Echizen, based on historical evidence) FUJIWARA no Tametoki, and when she was serving FUJIWARA no Shoshi she was directed to create new stories; she visited this Ishiyama-dera Temple to pray, became inspired and started writing the volume of Suma-Akashi.
住人の言うには「紫式部は越中守（史実では越前守）藤原為時の娘、藤原彰子に仕え、新しき物語を創れと命ぜられてこの石山寺に参籠し、祈願のうえ霊感を得て、まず須磨明石の巻から書き始めました。