In Roppongi, Tokyo, you can see great national treasure statues of Buddha this autumn!!

Exhibition at Suntory museum called Koyasan 1200th Anniversary,Treasures of the Sacred Mountain.

Koyasan (Mt. Koya) is famous temple known as headquarter of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism located in Wakayama prefecture to the south of Osaka and one of the world heritage.  Also they keep many treasures of statues of Buddha also and this time they come to Tokyo for the exhibition.

In the exhibition you can see Figures of the Eight Attendants of Fudo Myo’o(Skt. Acalanatha) which I love very much as the greatest and best sculptures in Japan. They were carved by Unkei and his colleagues and family. Usually we can not see them even visiting the Koysan except special display with limited term. 

So if you are in Tokyo , you should go or I would say you must go there to know Japanese art. Also I would say it is one of origin of our Manga and Animation culture. 

It is located just in center of the Roppongi , the most famous night entertainment town, so you must visit it before party.

October 11th (Sat.) to December 7th (Sun.), 2014

　　　

Address

　　　Suntory museum, Tokyo Midtown Galleria 3rd floor, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8643, Japan

Hours: 10:00-18:00　Friday and Saturday 10:00-20:00

        *Last admission: 30 minutes before closing.

        *Open until 20:00 on October 12th (Sun.), November 2nd (Sun.), November 23rd (Sun.)

        *Hours subject to change.

Closure: Tuesdays

Admission:  Adult ¥1,300,   College and High School Student ¥1,000

<http://www.suntory.com/sma/exhibit/2014_5/index.html> ( The exhibition site, English available, there are also photos of sculptures and arts.)

<https://www.koyasan.or.jp/english/index.html>  (Koyasan official site)  

<http://www.reihokan.or.jp/> (Koyasan museum site, only in Japanese) 

Nara National Museum, Statues of Buddha in Nara 3

If you visit Kofukuji and Todaiji , you should also visit Nara national museum which  focuses arts of Buddha and  where you can see many good statues of Buddha and also other arts of Buddha.  It is located next to Todaiji and it is suitable and recommended to visit Kofukuji, Todaiji and the museum to enjoy statues of Buddha in short time around a half of a day.  You can see usual display of statues of Buddha at Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall & Ritual Bronzes Gallery and also they organize special exhibition some time and you might see it as well. If you are lucky, you can enjoy great sculptures in the exhibition. 

Until September '14 they hold Daigoji ten(Daigoji is one of famous temple in Kyoto) as special exhibition and I visited it. There we could see Miroku bosatsu zazou (弥勒菩薩) carved by Kaikei(快慶）, famous sculptor who acted same time as Unkei who I mentioned at last blog and other many statues of Buddha. Good thing to see statues at a museum is we can see them very closely and all around with good lighting, which is different from seeing at a temple where we can see only front and far usually with very dark condition usually. 

( Unfortunately it seems currently the Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall is closed until Mar 2016 for renovation.  Special exhibition and Ritual Bronzes Gallery are available. Please check their web site.) 

Nara National Museum

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/index_e.html>

Nara Buddhist Sculpture Hall & Ritual Bronzes Gallery

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/guide/02.html>

Daigoji ten page ( only Japanese )

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/exhibition/2014toku/daigoji/daigoji_index.html>

What I love out of their collection

Tamonten ryuzo(Vaiśravaṇa), Important Cultural Property,  Heian period or Kamukura period 11 to 13 century

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/collection/v-755-0.html>

Tobatsu bishamonten ryuzo(Vaiśravaṇa),  Important Cultural Property,  Heian period, 11th century

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/collection/v-754-0.html>

Yakushinyorai-zo (Bhaiṣajya-guru), National Treasure, Heian period　9th century

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/collection/v-645-0.html>

List of the sculptures collections :

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/english/gallery/index.php?action=list&b=Sculptures>

Other information:

<http://www.narahaku.go.jp/pdf/english.pdf>

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nara_National_Museum>

Bilｌboard of Daigoji-ten, Right picture is Miroku bosatsu zazou carved by Kaikei.

Three of five great myouoh (kings) from Daigoji-ten

Other two of five great myouoh (kings) from Daigoji-ten

Statues of Buddha in Nara 2, Todaiji

Todaiji　(東大寺)

Todai-ji is the most famous temple and place for tourists in Nara and there is the largest statue of Buddha in Japan called "Daibutsu(大仏, Great Buddha)" located at Daibutsuden　(大仏殿, Great Buddha hall) (also called Kondo(金堂)) building which is also very large wooden building. Of course the "Daibutsu" is great and I liked it but if you visit Todaiji also please visit other buildings where you can see more statues of Buddha and I think some of them are the best statues in Japan.

Daibutsuden (Great Buddha hall)

Daibutsu　 (Great Buddha)

Komokuten as guardian ( Deva king )
at Daibutsuden

Tamonten as another guardian ( Deva king )
at Daibutsuden

Recommended building

Kaidando (戒壇堂)

This is located west from Daibutsuden and I love Shitennouryuzo (四天王立像,the Four Devas, big four) here very much and  I think they are one of the best statues as Japanese statues of Buddha. Shitennou(四天王) are guardian gods for the center Buddha.  They are old sculptures made in 8th B.C. 

<http://nara.jr-central.co.jp/campaign/todaiji-kaidando/>  JR Tokai site only in Japanese but you can see photos.

Sangatsudo(三月堂)　 (also called Hokkedo  (法華堂))

 This is located east from Daibutsuden and there are ten statues currently. 
 I love Kongorikishi(金剛力士, Deva kings) and Shitennou(四天王,the Four Devas, big four) 
 Other statues including national treasures which were at this building in the past have been transferred to Todaiji museum.
 This building is also the oldest within Todaiji buildings.
<http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201305180016>

Nandaimon (南大門)

　Nandaimon is the large gate southern side where you should walk through when you visit "Daibutsuden". Please don't forget to check and see two large statues both side of the gate, which are Kongorikishizo (金剛力士像, Deva kings)and also are national treasures. They were carved by the most famous sculpture, Unkei(運慶) and his colleagues which are called Keiha (慶派) in 13 B.C. , Kamakura period.  

Nandaimon

One of Kogorikishizo

Todaiji museum（東大寺　博物館)

 Recently Todaiji built this museem where you can enjoy seeing many historical and wonderful arts including statues of Buddha.

Enjoy Todaiji Buddha!