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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Ryuzoji Temple 17 Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage

 

Ryuzoji Temple, the oldest temple in Yamaguchi City, is the 17th temple on the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage and is a little out of town and not easily accessible by public transport so remains somewhat unkown to visitors.

I was totslly blown away by the phenomenal colours of the maple and gingko together...

At the bottom of the steps leading up is the remains of a small garden attributed to Sesshu. It was in poor condition when I was there but I believe it has been somewhat renovated now.

This is another of the temples where I took so many photos that I will break it down into two posts.

The origins of the temple lie in 698 when En no Gyoja, the legendary founder of shugendo, was returning from Hikosan in north Kyushu and discovered the cave on the mountainside that is now the okunoin.

Later, in 741, Gyoki came here, carved a Thousand-armed Kannon and established 7 halls

During the Edo Period ii seems it was a fairly large temple complex.

However, with the anti-Buddhist movements of early Meiji the temple was partially destroyed and abandoned.

In the last years of the 19th century it was revived as a place of worship.

The temple was packed with things to see,... not least the colours of Autumn, mostly on the ground...

Above is the Basho Jizo. I can find no info on this version of Jizo, so it must be one of the lesser ones...

The giant Gingko tree had shed just about all its leaves. It is about 45 meters tall and with a circumference of 12 meters at its base. Its diameters above the ground is 6 meters.

It is estimated to about  550 years old . Of all the nationally registered gingko tree this one is the second tallest and oldest.

At the top of the stairs, the first building is the Kannon Hall.

The main hall houses the honzon, and Amida. This is a Shingon temple...

The Kannon is a Bato Kannon, a Horsehead Kannon, and I was very surprised because I would have said it was an Aizen Myoo statue...

Just when you think you have gotten a handle on the identities and multiple appearances of the Buddhist deities, you come across something that blows it all up,,,

The Gingko tree at Ryuzoji Temple is a National Natural Monument.

It seems Bato Kannon can be an "angry" manifestation of Kannon, and "he" is included in the Hachidai Myoo grouping.

May be a Ryuzu Kannon, though usually she is depicted on a dragon, not with a dragon on her head...

In the next post I will cover the large Fudo Myoo, the waterfall, and numerous other sights above and behind the main hall.

The previous post in this series on day 23 walking along the Chugoku Kannon Pilgrimage, was on Rurikoji Temple and its pagoda,  a few kilometers further north.

if you would like to subscribe by email, just leave your email address in the comments below. It will not be published or made public. I post new content almost every day, and send out an email about twice a month with short descriptions and links to the most recent posts