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Immerse yourself in Buddhism and pop art at Iwamoto-ji

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By Elizabeth Sok

As one of the shrines and temples along the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage route, Iwamoto-ji already holds a privileged position on the historical trail. However, its unique artistic charm elevates it beyond its spiritual roots to new heights of artistic appreciation.

The origins of Iwamoto-ji lie in the eighth century with its predecessor, Fukuenman-ji, and is steeped in history and myth. According to legend, the revered Buddhist monk, Gyoki, was ordered by Emperor Shomu to construct a temple to ward off seven evils and give birth to seven blessings to take their place.

Over the centuries, the religious buildings that made up the wider complex were destroyed or relocated. By the start of the Meiji period, the government issued an order to separate Shintoism and Buddhism into distinct religions which resulted in the transformation of many shrine-temple hybrids into solely Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. For Iwamoto-ji, this meant having five Buddhist deities enshrined in its precincts, the most out of all sites on the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.

Renovation

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Don’t forget to look up. Image: PIXTA/nori.99

Click here to read more.

© GaijinPot

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