Rakanji temple was established on the site of Iwami Silver Mine, Ota City, Shimane Pref. in 1766 to worship 501 Rakan (disciplines of Buddha) stone statues made in memory of the silver miners and their ancestors. The statues were carved by Heishichi Tsubouchi, the masonry in the nearby town and his disciples. They started carving in 1746 and completed in as long as 20 years. Each statue has its unique facial expression of delight, anger, sorrow and pleasure. As they are laid inside the stone cave, even the details of the faces are kept unworn by wind and water. It looks as if the souls of silver miners were still alive at this temple.