Shikoku Pilgrimage Temple 37 Iwamotoji

Iwamotoji, the 37th temple on the Shikoku pilgrimage known as Ohenro, is located in Shimanto, Kochi, in the SW part of Shikoku Island.

Its about 80 kilometers to the next temple, and 65 from the previous temple.

When I arrived in very early December, there was still some fine autumn colour around.

There was a fine pair of Nio guardians in the Nio gate....

Though they didn't look to be very old...

The origins of the temple are in the mid-8th century when Gyoki, under orders of Emperor Shomu, founded a temple a couple of kilometers to the north, next to the Niida Myojin Shrine.

It was called Fukuemanji, and when Kobo Daishi visited next century he enshrined 5 different Buddhas in 5 shrine in the complex.

They were a Fudo Myoo, a Kannon, an Amida, a Yakushi, and a Jizo. These are now the 5 honzon at Iwamotoji.

Iwamotoji is unique on the Shikoku Pilgrimage in having 5 honzon

Fukuemanji was the temple on the pilgrimage, and Iwamotoji was a lodgings on the route between it and the next temple at Ashizuri Cape.

In the 17th century, Fukuemanji fell into disrepair, and the priest transferred to Iwamotoji, which then became the pilgrimage temple.

At the start of Meiji, with the shinbutsu bunri edict, the 5 Buddhas were transferred from the shrines to Iwamotoji.

The temple was closed down in 1871 but reopened in 1889.

The main hall, built in 1978, is well known for its painted ceiling.

575 colourful paintings, by both professional artists and regular citizens draw visitors.

The most famous one is of Marilyn Monroe, but I didn't notice it.

The oldest structure in the temple is the Daishi Hall, believed to be about 200 years old. Photo 9 above.

Photo 8 is the circular Seitendo enshrining Kangiten.

This is a small Suitengu Shrine.

Behind the temple is the Mikumano Shrine.

The temple has a large lodgings house.

The previous temple was number 36 Shoryuji.

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From Mountain to Temple

 

December 1st, 2011, and day 20 of my walk along the Shikoku Pilgrimage begins at the first hint of a lightening sky.

It was not far down from my sleeping spot on the mountain before I reached civilization where a few lights were already on...

A lovely thatched house right next to one of Japan's famous porn vending machines.... maybe not the ancient-modern juxtaposition most often thought of....

The walking pilgrims route to the next temple pretty much follows the rail line, the JR Dosan Line

As was my habit, I stopped in at most shrines I passed.

This one was a Daiyamano Shrine and it was necessary to cross the railway tracks to reach it, a not so uncommon occurrence.

Behind the rather utilitarian worship hall, the honden was protected by a roof. Theer is no information on the shrine history or kami.

There has been no Autumn colour this morning other than some gingko leaves on the ground at the shrine...

There is still some mist in the Niita River valley.....

a small roadside shrine....

and then one final shrine visit before I get into the town and the next temple Iwamoto-ji...

Unfortunately, onece again, I can find no information on the shrine kami or history...

The previous post was on the previous days walk up into the mountains.

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Maegamiji Temple 64 Shikoku Ohenro Pilgrimage

 

Temple 64, Maegamiji, was originally located high up on Mount Ishizuchi, the 1,982 meter high sacred mountain, highest mountain in West Japan, and a major Shugendo centre.

When En no Gyoja, the legendary founder of Shugendo was climbing the mountain in the late 7th century he encountered a man at the point he gave up trying to reach the summit. The mans words convinved him to keep going and on his way down after reaching the top and having a vision he established the temple.

Emperor Kanmu established 7 halls at the temple in the late 7th century.

Kobo Daishi is known to have visited twice.

All of this occurred at about 1,400 meters on the mountain, roughly where the modern ropeway ends.

In the Edo Period a small branch temple called Satozenjinji was built at the base of the mountain for people who could not make the tough climb up. This was where the huge Ishizuchi Shrine now stands, a little west of the current Maegami Temple.

The original temple on the mountain became known as the Okunoin.

In 1868 with the Shinbutsubunri declaration, the Buddhist sites connected to Ishizuchi either became shrines, or closed down.

After petitioning by local parishioners the current Maegami Temple was built at its current site.

In 1972 the main hall and its honzon, an Amida, were destroyed by fire and rebuilt with a new honzon which has always been a "secret Buddha."

The precincts contain a Gongen hall, a Daishi hall, a Goma hall, and a Konpira hall.

There is a waterfall for austerities with a Fudo Myoo. There are also an Inari Shrine and a Benzaiten Shrine.

The previous post in the series was on Temples 62 & 63.

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