Kanimanji Temple: Statue of Shaka Nyorai
Kanimanji Temple enshrines a Seated Shaka Nyorai statue. Shaka Nyorai, otherwise known as the historical Buddha or Prince Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism, is often prayed to for guidance and enlightenment.
Kanimanji Temple’s Seated Shaka Nyorai is believed to have been made over 1,300 years ago, and its nearly perfect state of preservation has led to its designation as a National Treasure of Japan. It is one of only four Buddha statues in Japan made of gilt bronze during that period, and it is truly massive, weighing in at around 2.2 tons, with a looming height of 240 cm.
Various theories exist as to whether the statue was originally placed here or moved from elsewhere, though none have been confirmed. However, recent investigations have uncovered evidence pointing to the possibility that it may indeed be this temple’s original object of worship. In addition to its massive size and excellent state of preservation, other distinguishing characteristics of this Seated Shaka Nyorai statue are the severity of its expression and the shape and placement of its hands.