<p>The great Bishamonten with other old statues inside a new, purpose-built storage building. The statue itself is more than 1,000 years old and was carved from a single cypress tree.</p>

The great Bishamonten with other old statues inside a new, purpose-built storage building. The statue itself is more than 1,000 years old and was carved from a single cypress tree. (Photo: Mifthanzi Ariana Sarashanti)

Giant Wooden Statue of Bishamonten

Japan's largest standing wooden statue of Bishamonten

Sarashanti Dec 13, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>The great Bishamonten with other old statues inside a new, purpose-built storage building. The statue itself is more than 1,000 years old and was carved from a single cypress tree.</p>

<p>Tsuchizawa Station in Towa City is the closest station to Kumano Shrine Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall).</p>

<p>Stones of a Mandala in the grounds of a temple along the road to Kumano Shrine.</p>

<p>An small shrine on the way to Kumano Shrine.</p>

<p>The beautiful country scenery of Towa-cho surrounds the road to the shrine.</p>

<p>Long steps that lead up to the main entrance of Kumano Shrine. Access is also possible by car.</p>

<p>The shiny, red torii (gate) that marks the entrance to the shrine. </p>

<p>Old and high Japanese cypress trees that fill the shrine precincts. One tree in particular oji-sugi (old-man cypress) is known to be over 1,000 years old.</p>

<p>Omikuji. Visitors to the shrine tie their wishes on to the rope.</p>

<p>Area for nakizumo (cry baby sumo wrestling) tournament.</p>

<p>Main hall of Kumano Shrine and area for nakizumo (cry baby sumo wrestling) that stand side by side.</p>

<p>Old wooden Bishamondo (Bishamon hall) that was built in the 15th century (Muromachi period 1333-1573).</p>

<p>Moss covered komainu guard of the Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall).</p>

<p>One of the sacred symbols of the shrine God represented by a mirror. </p>

<p>Swords of wisdom to remove blindness and clear the mind of distracting thoughts.</p>

<p>Shadows <span style="line-height: 1.6em;">of</span><span style="line-height: 1.6em;"> </span>Bishamonten cast <span style="line-height: 1.6em;">from many directions are projected on to </span><span style="line-height: 1.6em;">the pu

<p>God of the earth that carries Bishamonten with her two hands.</p>

<p>Face of Bishamonten who carries a spear in the right hand and stupa (Buddhist tower) in the left hand.</p>

<p>Main entrance gate of Kumano Shrine Bishamonten.</p>

<p>Beautiful view from top of the stairs just before you enter the Kumano Shrine Bishamondo (Bishamon Hall).</p>

Kumano Shrine Bishamondo is home to the largest wooden statue in Japan of Bishamonten, the God of War. It was designated as an important cultural asset in the 1970s and moved from the Bishamondo (former wooden hall dating from the medieval period where this statue was originally installed) into an exhibition hall with other statues. This shrine that has stood for more than 1,000 years in the country hills outside of Towa City secretly guards many stories and items of interest in its ancient precincts.

Sarashanti

Sarashanti @mifthanzi.ariana.sarashanti

Indonesian who loves traveling, writing, and photography.