Thursday, January 12, 2017

The Diverse Statuary at Jingo-ji


Jingo-ji Temple was a very pleasant surprise. Number 21 on the Kyushu Pilgrimage, it is/was a Shugendo center based around 2 small waterfalls. There was a lot of statuary, and while I am no expert, I have gotten better at identifying the myraid deities that inhabit the spiritual sphere of Japan. This first one, riding a peacock, is I think Amida, though I am not 100% certain.


This is Enma, the head judge of Hell, sometimes known as the King of Hell.


In premodern times the deity Inari took many forms, but a common one was as an old man accompanied by a fox or foxes.


I believe this is a pair of Jizo.


Statues of the reclining Buddha are relatively rare in japan compared to other Buddhist countries. This one is about 9 meters in length and carved in situ.


Almost certainly this is Kannon.

2 comments:

  1. Dear Mister, The first satue is Kujaku-MyƓo, an important divinity for the Shugenja. Best regards.

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