Asakusa Kannonji Temple
Main Image Wooden Standing Sho Kannon Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
Impression TagsGentlenessRefinementStillness
DescriptionThis wooden standing Sho Kannon Bosatsu is the principal image of Asakusa Kannonji Temple and is designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Otaru City. It is believed to have been made around Kyoto or Shiga in the latter half of the 10th century, during the middle Heian period, and is one of the oldest Buddhist statues confirmed in Hokkaido. Carved from a single block of cherry wood, the face and torso preserve much of their roughly 1,000-year-old form, apart from later repairs to portions of both arms. Its rounded face, small eyes and nose create a notably gentle expression. Tradition holds that it was brought to Otaru in the late 1890s from Umon-in, a subtemple of Shogo-in in Kyoto. It remains the temple’s principal image, and viewing requires advance contact.
Basic Information
Visit posts for this spot
No visit posts yet.