I AM A MONK Trailer: Discover The Secret Life Of A Young Japanese Abbot

I Am A Monk follows the trials and tribulations of Koen Shirakata, a 24-year-old man who becomes Abbot of Eifukuji temple, 57th of the 88 temples on Japan's notorious Shikoku Pilgrimage route. Based on actual events, the story is taken from the writings of Missei Shirakawa, who published serial essays on his life as a monk after the death of his grandfather saw him take up the position of Abbot.

The long-awaited film version is the directorial debut of Makabe Yukinari, who worked as assistant director to Yamazaki Takashi during the filming of Always - Sunset on Third Street. The director's past work gives some indication of the nature of this gentle comedy-drama that stars Ito Atsushi (Boy's Choir, Battlefield Baseball) as rookie monk Koen.

Thrust into a position he wasn't prepared for, Koen must leap into the Buddhist world, forming relationships with the worshipers of his temple, observing weddings and funerals and becoming the face of the community. Through trial and error, the rookie monk must learn to find his way.

Check out the trailer below.