Temples with Masterpieces by Ishikawa Uncho

In the mountains of Niigata Prefecture, visitors can discover the extraordinary works of Ishikawa Uncho (1814–1883), a master wood sculptor of the late Edo period. Celebrated as the “Michelangelo of Echigo Province” (most of modern-day Niigata Prefecture), Uncho left behind a legacy of vivid carvings, ceiling paintings, and temple architecture that continue to awe visitors today.
His most famous works can be seen in temples in Uonuma City, especially at Saifuku-ji Temple’s Kaisan-do Hall (Founder’s Hall), where dragons, tigers, and legendary characters leap from the walls and ceiling with lifelike movement. At Eirin-ji Temple, Uncho flexed his technical mastery by designing and rebuilding the Main Hall, along with the study room’s sliding doors and many beautiful interior carvings.
Unlike many artists of his time, Uncho’s carvings depict figures beyond what’s often seen in solemn religious art—he captured animals, people, and fantastical creatures with warmth, humor, and astonishing detail. These temples offer a rare chance to experience the genius of a sculptor who transformed wood and paint into works of living energy at the tail end of the Edo period.