Mar 17, 2013 - 1 min read

Okuno-in at Ishite-ji

The mandala at Okuno-in is a feast of weirdness

By Anonymous

Community writer

The cathedral-like roof of the mandala

The entrance shows Emma, the god and judge of the Buddhist Hell

Buddha went through a phase of extreme asceticism and nearly died on his path to enlightenment

Inside the mandala sphere. This deity has four faces

The first sight of the statues in the mandala is overwhelming, especially if you're alone. I've seen people take one look and run away

However, once you get used to them, they begin to seem like friendly presences. The figures represent the many followers of Buddha

One of the lions that supports the sphere of the madala building

The now-tarnished gilded ball of the mandala

The grounds of Okuno-in are home to several cats, as well as chickens

A shrine within the grounds appears to be to somebody's mum

The tunnel between Ishite-ji and Okuno-in is an experience in itself

Ishite-ji, Temple No.51 of the Shikoku pilgrimage, is a strange place, but Okuno-in, the temple that stands behind it on the mountain is stranger still. To get to it, you pass through a dark tunnel lined with bizarre statuary. The main feature of the Okuno-in a spaceship-like 'mandala', a giant sphere filled with grotesque carving.

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Find out more about Ishiteji Temple.

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By Anonymous

Elizabeth S

Elizabeth S 5 years ago

This is truly one of the weirdest temples I've ever been to in Japan. I highly recommend the womb-like tunnel and the mandala to visitors. It's an experience.

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Sleiman Azizi

Sleiman Azizi 5 years ago

Those statues look, dare I say it, amazing.

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