This hall, also called “kutsu-do” (cave hall), was built in a natural rock cave and is said to have been constructed during the Daido period (806~810). It is the architecture of a Shugendo temple. It is a National Important Cultural Property.
It is said that this temple was part of Myokenzan Shinkoji Temple, which was a large temple with a domain of 150 koku (approximately one hundred and fifty koku), but was destroyed in a military fire during the invasion of Hideyoshi Toyotomi.
The main deity is Fudo Myoo, who was worshipped as “Kurokawa Fudo” in Inaba, and is said to have been sculpted by Kobo Daishi when he was 33 years old, and is famous as one of the three most famous Fudo Myoo in Japan.
It is said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi when he was 33 years old, and is known as one of the three great Fudo Myoo in Japan.
Fudoin Iwayado is located along the Yoshiikawa River, a tributary of the Hatto River. This temple structure was built in harmony with a natural rock cave that is approximately 13 meters high, 7 meters wide, and 10 meters deep. The building itself is about 10 meters high, 3 kan (about 5.0 meters) wide, and 3 kan (about 5.0 meters) beam-to-beam. The building is a one-story structure, with a gabled roof in the front and gabled roof in the back, and is roofed with a method called tochibuki (栩葺). The under-floor structure is kakezukuri, supported by long pillars, and has a hana-don window. The front and east side of the building are lined with a “mizuhozu” (artificial bead) balustrade.
Fudoin Iwayado is considered one of the “three great iridōdōs” in Japan, along with Mitokuzan Sanbutsu-ji’s Iseido and Ryūiwa-ji’s Okuinreido, both located in Usa City, Oita Prefecture. The temple’s principal image is a black skin Fudo Myoo, said to have been created by Kukai at the age of 33 according to legend, and is one of the “Three Great Fudo Myoo of Japan” along with Meguro Fudo (Takiizumiji Temple in Meguro-ku, Tokyo) and Meaka Fudo (Nanya Temple in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo).
According to the “Shojo-cho” of the Iwayado area, Iwayado was built in the first year of Daido (806). Before the Middle Ages, this temple was part of Myokenzan Shinkoji Temple and had 150 koku as its territory. However, in 1581 (Tensho 9), Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Inaba, and most of the temple was destroyed by fire, leaving only Iwayado. The present hall is said to have been rebuilt by Minamoto no Yoritomo in the early Kamakura period (1185-1333), but according to the report of dismantling and repair conducted from 1955 to 1957, it is estimated to have been built in the early Muromachi period (1336-1392, the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties).
Free of charge
From Wakasakura Station on the Wakasakura Railway Wakasakura Line, take the Wakasakura-machi bus bound for “Ochiori” or “Yoshikawa” (10 minutes), get off at “Iwayado” bus stop, and walk about 3 minutes.