Daihoonji Temple 大報恩寺

Description

Daihoonji, a Shingon Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, has a great number of Buddhist statuary in its possession dating from the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333). Particularly noteworthy are the statues of the Ten Great Disciples carved by Kaikei, famous for making the massive guardian statues that protect Nara’s Todaiji Temple. The Ten Great Disciples were formerly placed in the main worship hall, where they surrounded the seated Buddha statue that is the temple’s main votive object. The statues of the six forms of Kannon (bodhisattva of compassion) are by Jokei. Worship of the six Kannon became particularly popular during the Kamakura period and statues from this time display a realism that earlier statues lacked – for example, muscled bodies and inset crystals for eyes. It’s rare for a set of six to be kept together over the centuries, and these are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Both sets of statues are stored safely in the temple’s reihoden treasure house, where it is on permanent display.