Iwamoto-ji Temple

Iwamoto-ji, Temple No. 37 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, stands in the town of Kubokawa in Shimanto Town, western Kochi Prefecture. Its mountain name is Fujiisan and its sub-temple name is Gochiin, and it belongs to the Chizan school of Shingon Buddhism. Its principal images are said to be five deities: Fudo Myoo, Sho Kannon, Amida Nyorai, Yakushi Nyorai and Jizo Bosatsu, and it is known as one of the most distinctive temples on the pilgrimage.

Temple tradition holds that it was founded by the monk Gyoki during the Tenpyo era (729-749) on the order of Emperor Shomu. At first it stood by the Niida River and was called "Niida Shichifuku" or "Shichifuku-ji." In the Konin era (810-824), Kukai is said to have organized Fukuenman-ji, made up of five shrines and five temples, and it became an imperial prayer temple of Emperor Saga as the "Niida Five Shrines and Twelve Temples of Fortune." After Fukuenman-ji was burned in wartime fires during the Tensho era (1573-1592), the head of Fukuenman-ji moved to Iwamoto-ji. In 1871 it was abolished under prefectural policy, but it was revived in 1889 and continues to this day.

The highlight is the ceiling of the main hall, rebuilt in 1978. It carries 575 paintings made by artists and ordinary people, ranging from traditional nature and Buddhist subjects to works inspired by Renoir, Marilyn Monroe, sailing ships, cats and giraffes, subjects you would hardly expect on a temple ceiling. Looking up in the hall and searching for a favorite panel is a pleasure in itself.

The grounds hold the mountain gate (Nio gate), the Daishi Hall, the Kaizan Hall that enshrines the Yaoi Jizo, the round Shoten Hall dedicated to Kangiten, and a bell tower. The Yaoi Jizo is regarded as the temple's Okunoin; legend says a hunter who found no game shot an arrow at himself, and a Jizo statue with the arrow in it was found fallen over. Mikumano Shrine, the local guardian shrine, stands against the hillside behind the main hall.

The temple has a lodging that accommodates up to 50 people, and one distinctive feature is that you can stay in a pop-art-style room.

Entry to the grounds is free, and 7:00 to 17:00 is a good guide to the hours. It is easy to reach: about a 10-minute walk from JR Kubokawa Station, or about 10 minutes by car from Shimanto-cho-chuo IC on the Kochi Expressway. Allow 30 minutes to an hour for the prayer and the ceiling paintings. It also makes a good stop on a trip around the Shimanto River basin.