NIKKO, Tochigi Prefecture–Three huge statues of a sitting Buddha at Nikkozan Rinnoji temple are back in their rightful place–center stage–after undergoing four years of restoration work.
The sparkling golden statues were unveiled June 24 to the delight of tourists to the World Heritage site.
A little more work needs to be done, however, on the Bato Kannon (Horse-headed Kannon bodhisattva, goddess of mercy), the Amida Nyorai (Amitabha), and Senju Kannon (1,000-armed Kannon bodhisattva).
The three statutes were carved from an assembly of “hinoki” (Japanese cypress) blocks. Each is about seven meters tall.
Restoration work was undertaken in 2012 to fix worm holes and damaged gold leaf.
The Bato Kannon statue was returned to the main hall, which is also undergoing restoration work, on June 6. The Senju Kannon was the last to return on June 24, as the Amida Nyorai statue was returned the previous day.
The statues are believed to have been created early in the Edo Period (1603-1867), but no inscription has been found to pinpoint the precise date.
The Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties is continuing with work to determine the production dates.
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