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Otagi Nenbutsu Temple

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Have you ever seen a Buddha statue with sunglasses? At Otagi Nenbutsu Temple, you’ll find not just one, but hundreds of these unique sculptures, each with its own quirky personality. Located in the hills of Arashiyama, Otagi Nenbutsu Temple boasts a history dating back to the 8th century. It’s a story filled with trials and triumphs, marked by floods, fires, and restorations. Despite the temple’s long history, most people visit to see the unusual collection of arhat statues, known as rakan. Created between 1981 and 1991, they are the work of visitors to the temple who learned the art of sculpting from the head monk, Kocho Nishimura. He encouraged them to express themselves freely, resulting in a diverse range of sculptures, some solemn, some joyous, and some even with playful elements that reflect the sculptor’s personal interests. These statues, covered in moss, seem to have stood there for ages, but upon closer inspection, many hold modern objects, such as Walkmans, baseball bats, or cups of sake. A walk among the rakan statues at Otagi Nenbutsu Temple is a unique experience that blends the divine and the mundane, reminding us that even in the realm of the sacred, humor and individuality have their place.

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