Seated Wooden Statue of Fudo Myo-o

This imposing 2.75-meter-tall statue, which dates from the Heian period (794–1185), depicts Fudo Myo-o, a powerful guardian deity in Japanese Esoteric Buddhism. Although usually shown with a fierce expression, he is a compassionate protector whose wrath is directed not at people, but at the obstacles that hinder enlightenment.

According to legend, the statue was washed ashore from Korea, but its origins point to the Tohoku region. It is carved from katsura, a native wood commonly used for Buddhist sculpture in the area. The artist’s skill is reflected in the large scale of the figure and the use of hollow construction, which helps reduce its overall weight. The yosegi-zukuri joined-block technique, in which multiple pieces of wood are joined instead of carving from a single block, has been employed with great precision.

The statue shows minimal alterations, and even the fingers on both hands remain largely intact. The sword, held in the right hand, is believed to be the original one. In 1997, the statue was designated an Important Cultural Property.

A golden tainai-butsu, about 10 centimeters tall, is housed within the statue as a “hidden Buddha.” This figure is revealed to the public only once every 12 years, during the spring festival held in the Year of the Rooster. Upcoming Years of the Rooster are 2029 and 2041.