Seated Statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha, Kanimanji, Kyoto Prefecture
This imposing seated image of the Buddha has remained largely as it was originally cast some 13 centuries ago—although a close examination makes it look like it has borne the scars of the long years it has spent looking over those who come to worship it.
A striking seated statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha, known as the Kanimanji image, resides at the temple Kanimanji in Kyoto Prefecture. Characterized by its taut cheeks, slender eyes, and stern expression, this monumental bronze image is considered a jōroku-butsu, or one-jō-six-shaku Buddha, a rare and monumental form of Buddha statue.
It is believed to have once been the principal object of worship at the Kokubunji temple in Yamashiro Province, built as part of the imperial government’s effort to promote Buddhism throughout Japan in the eighth century. The sculpture's severe yet compassionate expression is thought to embody prayers for protection and stability.
The thin robes draped around the well-proportioned body create graceful, flowing lines, reminiscent of another seated Buddha statue at Yakushiji. However, unlike the Yakushiji statue, which is nearly five tons, the Kanimanji image weighs only 2,172 kilograms, suggesting a different casting technique. The image may have originally been a depiction of the bodhisattva Kannon, with the current Shakyamuni statue possibly moved here from another temple.
Excavations in 1990 revealed remains of a large temple and monastery from the Hakuhō period, which could indicate the image's existence at Kanimanji since its founding. The statue's style suggests a creation date between the late seventh and the middle of the eighth century, though experts remain divided on its exact placement within this timeframe.
Recent photographs by photographer Muda Tomohiro revealed numerous scratches and marks on the statue's face and torso, which he interpreted as traces of the faith and affection of those who protected the image over centuries, adding to its beauty and character.
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