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BIG BUDDHA = DAIBUTSU 大仏

Giant Buddha Statues in Japan


Reviews & Photos of 20+ Giant Statues in Japan
Of the three most widely known giant effigies of Buddha from old Japan, only the Kamakura
Daibutsu (11.3 meters) remains in original form. The Nara Daibutsu (15 meters) was recast, while
the famous Kyoto Daibutsu (24 meters) was entirely destroyed in a fire. All that remains of this
once spectacular landmark is a small wooden model (maquette).

There are many other Daibutsu statues in Japan. The oldest surviving Daibutsu sculpture in
Japan, cast in 609 AD, is the Asuka Daibutsu (2.75 meters). Among stone-carved Daibutsu in
Japan, the largest is the Daibutsu of Nihon-ji (31 meters), chiseled into a stone cliff during the
1780s. During the early years of Japanese Buddhism, especially during the Heian Era (794-1185
AD), many Buddhist deities were carved in stone on large rock outcrops, cliffs, or in caves.
Known as Magaibutsu or Sekibutsu, these impressive carvings are found nationwide, but over
half are located in Kyushu, the earliest inhabited area of Japan. The largest Big Buddha statue in
Japan -- and reportedly worldwide -- is the recently constructed 100-meter Ushiku Daibutsu in
Ibaraki Prefecture, just 50 km from Tokyo. Finally, dozens of Big Buddha statues have been
erected in recent times (post WWII onward). Most of these recent additions were made entirely
for commercial reasons (e.g., to increase tourism to certain Japanese localities). Most of these
statues are not cataloged herein. For resources on these giant modern effigies, please see the
Learn More Section.

Kamakura Daibutsu Nara Daibutsu


Kamakura Big Buddha Nara Big Buddha
Constructed 1252 AD Constructed 752 AD
Amida Buddha (Nyorai) Birushana Buddha (Nyorai)

Located at Kōtokuin Temple 高徳院 in Kamakura, Located at Tōdaiji Temple 東大寺 in Nara, this
this giant bronze statue embodies Amida Nyorai. bronze statue embodies Birushana Nyorai. Over the
Roughly 11.3 meters in height (13.35 meters with centuries, the statue (first cast in 752) has been
pedestal) and weighing 125 tons, the Kamakura damaged in various fires, natural disasters, and civil
Daibutsu was financed entirely with donations disturbances, but it has always been restored. Its
from devotees and commoners (no aid from the appearance today, however, may not accurately
imperial court or the Kamakura shogunate). Cast represent its earlier magnificence. In the 9th century,
in 1252, the statue was originally housed in a an earthquake knocked off its head. In 1180 and
wooden structure, but that structure was again in 1567, its right hand was melted in
destroyed by a violent storm in 1335, rebuilt, and accidental fires. The body of the statue was
again destroyed in another storm in 1495. Since reconstructed in 1185, and the head rebuilt in 1692.
then, the statue has sat outdoors unprotected At 15 meters (without pedestal) and weighing 250
from the elements. tons, it is reportedly the largest gilt-bronze effigy in
the world. The wooden structure that houses the
Amida (Skt. = Amitābha), which means Infinite statue -- the Daibutsuden 大仏殿 (Great Buddha
Light & Life, is one of the loftiest savior figures in Hall) -- is supposedly the world’s largest wooden
Japanese Buddhism, and Amida faith is building. The present-day hall dates to the early 18th
concerned primarily with the life to come century and is only 66% of its former size. Its
(paradise). Amida is especially important to rebuilding was completed in 1708 but the repair and
Japan’s popular Pure Land (Jōdo 浄土) sects. The replacement of its damaged interior statues was still
key practice for Amida devotees is to chant underway in the 1750s.
Amida’s nenbutsu 念仏 (devotional invocation,
formulaic prayer), which is Namu Amida Butsu 南 Birushana (Skt. = Vairocana) is the main object of
無阿弥陀仏 or All Hail Amida Buddha, for Amida worship in the Kegon-kyō 華厳経 (Flower Garland
vowed that whoever calls his name with faith shall Sutra; Skt. = Avatamsaka Sutra), which is the
be reborn in his Western Pure Land. Rebirth in scriptural authority of Japan’s Kegon sect. The
this pure land represents a “quick path” to sect’s head temple, then and today, is Tōdaiji, one
enlightenment. Indeed, belief in Amida’s western of Japan’s oldest and most influential temples, one
paradise underscores the location of the that greatly impacted the early development of
Kamakura Daibutsu -- the statue is located in the Buddhism in Japan. Birushana is also the central
western quarter of Kamakura city. deity of Japan’s Tendai and Shingon sects of
Esoteric Buddhism (both sects emerged in the early
STATUE HISTORY 9th century). Among these two, Birushana is known
Yoritomo Minamoto 源頼朝 (1147-1199), famed as Dainichi Nyorai (the Cosmic Buddha, the Great
warrior and founder of the Kamakura shogunate, Solar Buddha). Vairocana literally means “belonging
moved the capital to Kamakura to distance his to, or coming from, the sunlight.”
military regime from meddling by the court and the
powerful Buddhist monasteries in Kyoto & Nara. STATUE HISTORY
Before his death in 1199, Yoritomo expressed a The Nara Daibutsu was
desire to build a giant Buddha statue in commissioned by Emperor
Kamakura, one that could rival the Nara Daibutsu Shōmu 聖武天皇 (701-756) to
and demonstrate his political power and religious symbolize the unification of the
faith. After his death, the Kamakura shogunate state and Buddhism under a
was controlled by his wife Hōjō Masako 北条政子 system known as Chingo
(1157–1225) and a long line of Hōjō regents. Kokka Bukkyō 鎮護国家仏教
Masako approved of plans by Inada-no-Tsubone (Buddhism for the protection
稲多野局 (a lady in Yoritomo’s court) to fulfill and preservation of the nation). Shōmu is
Yoritomo's wish, but it wasn’t until 1238 that considered one of Japan’s greatest patrons of
sufficient funds were raised, thanks mostly to Buddhism, having ordered the nationwide
monk Jōkō 僧浄光 who (at the request of Inada) establishment of provincial temples (kokubunji 国分
had traveled across Japan to solicit donations. 寺) and nunneries (kokubun-niji 国分尼寺). Each
The Hōjō regents approved of the project but did was directly answerable to the center of the country,
not provide monetary support, for the giant statue with Tōdaiji in Nara acting as the head of all state-
was to embody Amida Buddha, the central deity of established temples. Shōmu turned especially to the
Japan’s Jōdo (Pure Land) sects. The Hōjō teachings of the Kegon sect to form the basis of
regents, however, patronized primarily Zen-sect government. One of his great achievements was to
temples. order the making of the Nara Daibutsu. Legend
contents that Shōmu himself carried buckets of dirt
In 1243, construction of the during the construction of the giant image. When it
colossal wood statue and a hall to house it were was completed (752), it was considered the largest
completed, but the statue was destroyed in a statue of its kind in the world. Monk Gyōki 行基
violent storm in 1247. Five years later, in 1252, a (668-749), director of Tōdaiji’s Buddhist community,
new statue (this time made of bronze, not wood) was instrumental in raising funds for the project.
was completed, thanks again to fundraising efforts
by Lady Inada and Monk Jōkō. A cenotaph stands Another great achievement of Shōmu’s is the
in the Kōtokuin courtyard to this day to Shōsōin 正倉院, a massive treasure-house of art
commemorate Lady Inada's tireless dedication to collected by the emperor. The collection (still extant)
this project. The new statue was cast by Tanji was donated to Tōdaiji in 756 by Shōmu's widow,
Hisatomo 丹治久友, Ōno Gorō-uemon 大野五郎右 Empress Kōmyō 光明. Today, Tōdaiji’s Daibutsuden
衛門, and others. is still reportedly the largest wooden structure in the
world (reconstructed by 1708), some 48 meters in
In 1335, a violent storm swept away the main height, 57 in width, and nearly 50 in depth. Tōdaiji
wooden hall housing the statue (the latter was also served as the official government ordination
unharmed), but some 500 samurai, remnants of platform, where novices & clergy received orthodox
the then-defeated Hōjō, had entered the building (state-approved) ordination as monks or nuns. This
to seek refuge from the storm. They were all allowed the court to limit the number of men &
crushed to death. A new hall was created women filling the ranks of the Buddhist clergy.
thereafter to house the statue.
Shōmu’s embrace of Buddhism also involved the
In 1495, Kōtokuin (Kotokuin) suffered yet again notion of “building spiritual merit” for oneself and
from an earthquake and tsunami wave, and the others. Known as Chishiki 知識 in Japanese and
structure housing the statue was once more translated as “pious contribution.” Originally a
destroyed -- but the statue was undamaged. It has Sanskrit term (mitra) meaning “friend” or
sat outdoor, unsheltered from the weather, ever “companion,” in Japan it came to designate any
since. In the next two centuries, the statue fell person who spread the Buddhist teachings in hopes
upon hard times and neglect -- at one point in of saving others. Chishiki was a means to
time, gamblers lived inside, making it their accumulate spiritual merit and thus improve one’s
hideout. Saddened by the deteriorating condition, own chance of salvation. It came in many forms,
a priest from Zōjōji Temple 増上寺 (Jōdo Sect) in from those who founded and maintained temples, to
Tokyo named Yūten 裕天 (1637-1718) those who devoted their money, land, or efforts to
spearheaded a plan to restore the statue and advance the cause of Buddhism.
began soliciting contributions in 1712. Some say
the statue would have never survived if not for this The Chishiki ideal came to prominence with Shōmu,
monk. To commemorate Yūten and other whose giant bronze Buddha statue was financed
contributors, four bronze lotus pedals were not only by the state but by the “pious contributions”
erected & engraved with their names (found today of devotees, parishioners, and lay people. The
at the rear of the statue). “chishiki” ideal meant that the benefits of
constructing & maintaining the giant statue would
In 1923, the statue’s base was damaged in the accrue to anyone who participated in the endeavor,
Great Kanto Earthquake and subsequently no matter how small their contribution. Additionally,
repaired. In 1960, the statue’s neck and its base the Nara period might rightfully be called the Shōmu
were reinforced to help it survive future quakes. Era, for the capital in Nara during his reign (724 to
Today, you can still climb inside the statue for just 749) covered about 35 square miles and was home
20 yen. But typically no one sits outside collecting to over one million people. It represented Japan's
money -- it's the honor system. The statue’s face first real age of imperial splendor.
is nearly 2.5 meters long. Upon the head are 656
hair curls. See photos here. Says scholar Ross Bender in the PMJS Forum:
“The Tamukeyama Hachiman 手向山神社 shrine to
Says Kondo Takahiro : “A close look at the statues reveals the east of Tōdaiji is not as well-known as it might
several slight horizontal lines. This tells us that it was a
patchwork made with eight pieces of bronze. Even today's
be, but it is home to Tōdaiji’s guardian deity.
technology, however, cannot find out precisely how it was cast Although the shrine’s present location dates from
and built. The original statue may have been quite different in 1237, it is the heir of the shrine built when the Shinto
appearance from what we see today. It was gilt all over and deity Hachiman came to Nara in 757 AD.
would have been glittering. Over time, the gilt came off, and Sources on Nara Daibutsu:
today you can recognize traces of the original gilt only in the
ears. The statue is the only National Treasure in the Kanto
region. • Yamasa Institute (Nara Daibutsu)

Sources on Kamakura Daibutsu: • Nara & Kamakura Daibutsu (J-Site)

• Kondo Takahiro, Kamakura Temples


• Iso Mutsu, Kamakura Fact & Legend
• Kamakura City Official Site
• Kōtoku-in Temple Photos

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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