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HOME > Feature Michelangelo of Echigo Uncho Ishikawa

The power of sublime beauty evokes inspiration

Uncho is an immensely talented coordinator and is even called the Michelangelo of Echigo. Every one of his sculpture, whether it is carved out of wood or rock, his screen paintings, plaster work and shoji screens, dynamically express his world view. Trace the footsteps of Uncho, who still captivates people after 150 years.

Uncho Ishikawa (1814 – 1883) Born in Zoshigaya, Edo. Known as the master carver of Ishikawa School. Legend has it that he arrived in Echigo with another famous craftsman Gentaro Kobayashi and collaborated with him on the Kongo Rikishi statues at Mikuni Gongen Shrine in Mikuni Pass. He later marries into his wife’s family, the Sakais of Sanjo, but tales of him coming to Echigo on condition that he is given “good sake and chisels for life” and of his gambling, which resulted in him producing pieces for Eirinji Temple, give an idea to the sort of wild character he must have been.

Ceiling carvings of Seifukuji Temple, Kaizando (Uonuma City)
Dogen Zenji Moko Chobuku
The carving depicts Priest Dogen putting a fierce tiger into submission

List of facilities where work by Uncho can be found

Yahiko & Sanjo

Name		Place
	Juni Shrine	In Kamitsuchikura, Kamo City
	Isurugi Shrine	Yoshinoya, Sanjo City
	Honjoji Temple	1-1-20, Nishihonjoji, Sanjo City

Nagaoka & Kashiwazaki

Name		Place
	Akiba Sanjakubo Daigongen	2-chome, Yachi, Nagaoka City (formerly Tochio City)
	Takanori Shrine	Tochibori, Nagaoka City (formerly Tochio City)
	Rinkoan	280, Oaza Nakayama, Kawaguchi Town

Yuzawa & Uonuma

Name		Place
	Eirinji Temple	1765, Negoya, Uonuma City
	Seifukuji Temple Kaidozando	174, Oura, Uonuma City
	Choonji Temple	371, Shiozawa, Minamiuonuma City
	Ryukokuji Temple	Osaki, Minamiuonuma City
	Anachi Juni Daimyojin	Anachi, Minamiuonuma City
	Nio statues of Zuishoan	4595, Oaza Tsuchitaru, Yuzawacho, Minamiuonuma-gun