Daibutsu Great Buddha

Daibutsu means The Great Buddha. Now there are many daibutsu around Japan. But there are two most famous daibutsu. They are in Nara and Kamakura, both huge, old and historically famous.

The Daibutsu in Todaiji temple Nara

The Great Buddha in Nara is located at Todaiji temple. Todaiji is also very famous with the huge daibutsu and its building. Todaiji daibutsu was made with copper and seems a little blackens. This statue has many sad stories. The original daibutsu as made more than 1,200 years ago but was destroyed by the war by warlords several time. The recent daibutsu was rebuilt about 300 years ago. This daibutsu is also famous because of its building. The building in which daibutsu is sitting is the largest and the oldest wooden building in the world. More amazingly, the building was also destroyed and rebuilt several times and the very original one was larger! I think you may be surprised not only the size of daibutsu but also the huge wooden building! I love both daibutsu and the humongous building and hope they will be preserved in future.

The Daibutsu in Kotokuin temple Kamakura

There is another most famous daibutsu in Kamakura, south of Tokyo about 1.5-hour by train. Kamakura is also very famous for sightseers not only domestic but also from abroad. The daibutsu is called just "The daibutsu in Kamakura", built about 750 years ago. It is located in the garden of Kotokuin temple. Now this daibutsu is sitting outside. But originally it was inside the building. But the building was destroyed by flood many years ago. The size of daibutsu is 11.5m high and 124 tons heavy. Many people say that he is so handsome, yes I agree too. He is made with copper, same as that in Nara.

Ofuna Kan-non Ofuna

Kan-non is the Goddess of mercy. This kan-non is located at the hilltop of Ofuna, a couple stops before Kamakura when you ride the train from Tokyo. They call her "The Ofuna Kan-non" and she looks very beautiful. But when you go closer, you must recognize that her body is only the upper half. Some people believe that Ofuna kan-non and Kamakura daibutsu sometimes meet secretly because they are lovers. Do you believe? Maybe this is because they are beautiful and handsome. Anyway, Ofuna Kan-non is beautiful and I love too. ("Love" is just pure love for goddess!!)

fumi.kobayashi@nifty.com