Wooden Miroku Bosatsu Buddha Statue 木造弥勒仏坐像

Official explanation

This wooden statue of Miroku Bosatsu, the Buddha of the Future, is enshrined within Mirokudo Hall. In order to preserve the paintwork, the National Treasure is usually taken out and shown to the public only once every 21 years. The last time it was shown was in 2015, to celebrate the 1,200-year anniversary of the founding of Koyasan. As this statue is usually kept hidden, it is known as a hibutsu or “secret Buddha.”

Like the building in which it is enshrined, the statue dates to the Heian period (794–1185). The name of the sculptor is inscribed on the statue, along with the date 891. The serene figure of Buddha is shown sitting cross-legged on an intricately painted and gilded lotus dais. The seat is a more recent addition reflecting the artistic style and techniques of the Edo period (1603–1868).

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.