A painting depicting the origins of Kotohiki Hachimangu Shrine on Mt. Kotohiki in the city of Kan'onji, Kagawa Prefecture. Several narratives unfolding over time are depicted across the rather wide painted surface. The contents of the painting can be understood from a separate descriptive text. It is believed that this temple origin painting was used to explain the stories of the the shrine.
Kotohiki Hachimangu Shrine is said to have originated when Hachiman, the god of military power, came here from Usa Hachimangu Shrine in Kyushu (currently Oita Prefecture).
In the upper left corner of the painting, thin white clouds are seen trailing from the sky toward the summit of Mt. Kotohiki, undoubtedly depicting the scene of Hachiman’s descent. Also in the upper left of the painting, a boat with a koto playing on it is drifting ashore at Ariake Beach (at the foot of the mountain). The shrine's founder, Nissho Shonin, can be seen greeting this boat. Below, also on the left, is another scene in which children are shown pulling along the boat and the koto, being greeted by the people.
In the center, the shrine's main approach leads to the main buildings of Hachimangu Shrine near the peak of the mountain. On the right, the precincts of Kannonji Temple are shown midway up the mountain. This painting shows not only the story of Hachimangu’s origins, but also depicts in detail the surrounding natural features such as beaches and rivers.
As a temple origin painting from the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) preserved in Kagawa Prefecture, this is an extremely important work of art.