#uzumasadera

[crazyfox-archives]

The front gate of Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺) in Kyoto along with a passing Randen streetcar

Photo by PlusMinus on November 13, 2005

[crazyfox-archives]

A sculpted image of Thousand-Armed Kannon Bodhisattva (千手観音菩薩) dating to the early 9th century at Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺) in Kyoto

Image from a booklet acquired at the temple February 11, 1995

[crazyfox-archives]

A pamphlet from Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺) in Kyoto, featuring a close look at the temple’s famous sculpted image of the future buddha Miroku Bodhisattva (弥勒菩薩) dating to the 7th century

Acquired at the temple February 11, 1995

[crazyfox-archives]

A sculpted image of Manira (摩尼羅)--more commonly known elsewhere as Anira (頞儞羅)--one of the twelve divine generals guarding and working for the buddha of medicine and healing, Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来), at Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺) in Kyoto

According to temple records, crafted by the Buddhist artist Chōsei (長勢), a disciple of Jōchō (定朝), in 1064

Image from a booklet acquired at the temple February 11, 1995

[crazyfox-archives]

An illustration of the Ushi Matsuri or “Cow Festival” (牛祭) at Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺), counted as one of the Three Peculiar Festivals of Kyoto

Reportedly initiated by the Tendai monk Genshin (源信) in the early 11th century so as to invoke the powers of the local guardian deity Matarajin (摩多羅神) for the sake of peace and well-being in the land, it took place during the ninth month of the year starting from the temple’s protective shrine Ōsake Jinja (大酒神社) before the 1870′s, was discontinued for a short while during the government’s separation of Buddhism and Shinto, and was then revived as an event taking place in October under the auspices of the temple itself--though in recent decades the difficulties of handling a cow in an urban setting have led to the festival’s gradually intermittent abeyance

Illustration from “Picture Album of Annual Festivals in the Capital” (都年中行事画帖), 1928, written by Ema Tsutomu (江馬務) and illustrated by Nakajima Sōyō (中島荘陽)

[crazyfox-archives]

A sculpted image of Shōtoku Taishi (聖徳太子) (574-622), regent, administrator, and crucially influential early patron of Buddhism at Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺) in Kyoto, viewable only during ceremonies on November 22 of each year

Based on inscriptions within the statue, it can be ascribed to the Buddhist artist Raihan (頼範) in 1120. Dressed in robes donated from previous imperial enthronement rites, it portrays the prince at age 33 when his gift of a Buddhist statue to his allied minister Hata no Kawakatsu (秦河勝) served as the ostensible occasion for the latter’s founding of Kōryūji in 603

Image from a booklet acquired at the temple February 11, 1995

[crazyfox-archives]

A painted image of Juntei Butsumo (准胝仏母), “Juntei, Mother of Buddhas” with flying apsara angels above and naga dragon attendants below at Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺) in Kyoto

Color on silk dating to the Kamakura period (1185-1333)

Image from a booklet acquired at the temple February 11, 1995

[crazyfox-archives]

The main images enshrined within the Lecture Hall (講堂) of Kōryūji Temple (広隆寺) in Kyoto: Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来), buddha of the Western Pure Land paradise, accompanied atypically by Kokuzō Bodhisattva (虚空蔵菩薩) on the left and Jizō Bodhisattva (地蔵菩薩) on the right

Generally dating to the early 9th century, with Amida probably dating to around 840, remarkably intact with his original seat and double halo

Image from a booklet acquired at the temple February 11, 1995