Buddhist Statues of the Wakasa Region: Exhibition Items
Seated Statue of Dainichi Buddha (mid-eleventh century, Kurokoma, Obama)
This image of Dainichi, the Cosmic Buddha, was long worshipped in the village of Kurokoma. It is considered the oldest sculpture of Dainichi Buddha in the Wakasa region. Some records suggest that it was venerated by monks who served at shrines in Kurokoma during the time of syncretic Shinto and Buddhist worship, while others indicate that it may have been housed in a hall built by the community and affiliated with a nearby temple. Originally, the statue was likely covered with gold leaf and was painted in color after the gold faded. The crown and halo were added at a later date. The hands of Dainichi Buddha form a mudra gesture symbolizing the unity of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and metal) with spiritual consciousness.
Replica of a Standing Statue of Fudo Myo-o (late eleventh century, Enshoji Temple)
The original of this sculpture depicting Fudo Myo-o, the Immovable Wisdom King, is enshrined at Enshoji Temple in central Obama and is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. Fudo Myo-o is portrayed in a dynamic pose, left foot forward as if ready to step off the pedestal. It is an early example of a statue based on the concept of Fudo jukyukan (“nineteen visualizations of Fudo Myo-o”), incorporating characteristic iconography such as voluminous curly hair and a braid over the left shoulder, the way the teeth bite into the lips, having one eye open and the other squinted, and holding a sword and a lasso. The sword is not present in this replica, but the right hand is positioned to grip the handle.
Replica of a Seated Statue of Fudo Myo-o (late eleventh century, Jozenji Temple)
The original of this Fudo Myo-o image was once enshrined in the Fudodo Hall on a mountain near Jozenji Temple and is now kept in a repository on the temple grounds. It is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. The sculpture was long worshipped as a “wave-breaking Fudo” that answered prayers for maritime safety. The slender body and shallowly carved folds of the clothing are characteristic of works produced in Kyoto in the late Heian period (794–1185). The style is based on a statue brought to Japan from China by the Buddhist monk Enchin (814–891).
Replica of a Seated Statue of Kannon Bodhisattva (early tenth century, Chokeiin Temple)
This sculpture depicts Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion, holding a lotus flower. The original is enshrined in the Kannondo Hall administered by Chokeiin Temple and is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. According to records, it was initially the principal object of worship at Nikkoji Temple located at the foot of Mt. Kusuyagadake. Legend says that the figure was carved in 731 by Gyoki (668–749), a prominent monk from Nara. The temple burned down in the early sixteenth century, but the statue of Kannon was carried away and escaped harm.
Replica of a Seated Statue of Bato Kannon (late eleventh century, Magoji Temple)
The original of this image of Bato (Horse-Headed) Kannon is enshrined in the main hall at Magoji, a temple supposedly founded by Prince Shotoku (Shotoku Taishi, 574–622). Characteristic of this form of Kannon, it has eight arms, three faces, and wears a horse head as a crown. The fierce expression is unusual for the bodhisattva of compassion, but according to some interpretations, this reflects the strength required to protect the faithful, while in esoteric Buddhism it is considered a representation of anger at worldly thoughts that obstruct the path toward enlightenment.
Seated Statue of Amida Buddha (tenth century, Hotokedani Ward, Obama)
This small sculpture of Amida, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life, was likely carved in the Wakasa region. Most of the statue is made of hinoki cypress using the ichiboku-zukuri technique (carving from a single piece of wood), but the arms from the elbow and the legs from the knee are made from different wood. The statue was long worshipped in the village of Hotokedani, playing a central role in the religious life of the community.
Seated Statue of Jizo Bodhisattva (nineteenth century, Kaminegori Village)
This Jizo Bodhisattva was worshipped as a guardian deity in the Jizodo Hall at the entrance to the village of Kaminegori. The sculpture depicts Jizo in monk robes, sitting in a half-lotus position, and holding a shakujo staff in the right hand. Kaminegori was located on the Saba Kaido (“Mackerel Road”), a network of trade routes connecting Wakasa to Kyoto, and became a trading hub and a site of cultural exchange. Travelers passing by likely prayed to this Jizo statue for safety on their journey.