Hon-dō (Important Cultural Property) 三宝院 本堂

Official explanation

The Hon-dō, also called Miroku-do, is a hall dominated by one of the most impressive and realistic statue of Miroku Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva Maitreya, an Important Cultural Property which was carved in 1192 by one of the most distinguished Buddhist carvers in Japanese art history, Kaikei (active late 12th - early 13th century). His sculptures, which are characterized by graceful design and perfect proportions, initiated the emphasis on realism within the sacred art of Japan during the Kamakura period. The 112 cm tall statue is a fine example of Kaikei’s work and entirely gilded. He is flanked by a wooden statue of Shōbō dating to 1665 to the left, and a wooden statue of Kūkai to the right, dating to1667.

Behind the hall of Hon-dō is the Goma-dō Hall, a venue for the goma fire ritual. The ritual with ancient Indian roots is equally present in the Shingon Buddhism as well as in the mountain asceticism of Shugen-dō. Devotees believe that temptations, the roots of suffering in life, are purged by fire.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.