弘法大師が唐での修業を終え帰国の折、「日本での修業地を示し給え」と「三鈷杵」を空に向けてお投げになり、帰国後に高野山の松（葉が３本）に止まっていた。小地獄から一切経堂への参道途中に葉が3本ある珍しい「三鈷の松」がある。空海伝承の松で高野山では、お守りとして販売されている。
　空海伝承がある寺院では見られる場所もあるが、長崎県ではここだけである。雲仙山満明寺も真言宗であり、三鈷の松がこの地にあるのは高野山との交流があったころ、当時の修行僧の身体の保護を願って移植したのではないかと云われている。現在もお守りとして人気があり、訪問者が多い。
英語バージョン
「Sankono-matsu(pine)」
During his return from completing his training in Tang China, the great Buddhist monk Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) threw "sankono-matu" (three-pronged vajra) into the sky, requesting it to indicate the location of his training ground in Japan. After returning to Japan, the vajra landed on a pine tree with three branches at Koyasan (Mount Koya). Along the path from the small hell to the Issai-kyo Hall, there is a rare "sankono-matsu" (pine tree with three branches) which bears the leaves in groups of three. This pine tree is considered a relic of Kukai's legacy and is sold as a protective charm in Koyasan.While some temples with a connection to Kukai's teachings also possess such trees, they are found only in Nagasaki Prefecture. Manmyozi Temple, which belongs to the Shingon sect of Buddhism like Koyasan, is said to have transplanted the tree here during a period of exchange between the two locations, with the intention of protecting the bodies of practicing monks at the time. The tree continues to be popular as a protective charm, attracting many visitors even today.