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All Japan Kamakura The Great Buddha of Kamakura

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.

Kamakura, Japan

Added By
lhackney
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  arc459 / Atlas Obscura User
  arc459 / Atlas Obscura User
  arc459 / Atlas Obscura User
A closer look at the Great Buddha’s face.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Kamakura Daibutsu’s side profile.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Fruit offerings.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Foliage on grounds during Nov. 2019 visit.   donnatalarico / Atlas Obscura User
Temple entrance   lmfurst / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Buddha’s head   lmfurst / Atlas Obscura User
Inside the Great Buddha.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Detail.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The Great Buddha seen from behind.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Great Buddha (or Daibutsu) of Kamakura is one of Japan’s most fascinating historical landmarks.

The enormous bronze statue is a representation of Amida Buddha, located on the grounds of the Kotoku-in (高徳院) temple in Kamakura City. The monument dates all the way back to 1252, though the identity of the original sculptor is not known today. It's thought to have been cast in bronze collected from melted Chinese coins, and originally plated with gold. Only traces of gold leaf remain on the statue's right cheek, as it has stood in the open air since the temple building was destroyed in the tsunami of September 20, 1492.

The Daibutsu of Kamakura is the second largest monumental Buddha in Japan (only the Nara Daibutsu is taller), weighing approximately 121 tons and reaching a height of 13.35 meters. For a small donation of 20 yen, visitors can actually go inside the sacred monument and see how it was cast from the inside. This unique experience ensures that a visit to the Daibutsu of Kamakura will be a memorable one.

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Added By

lhackney

Edited By

Martin, noerml4, Fred Cherrygarden, mrholland66801...

  • Martin
  • noerml4
  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • mrholland66801
  • arc459
  • donnatalarico
  • lmfurst

Published

July 11, 2012

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Sources
  • http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/kamakura-great-buddha
  • http://www.kamakuratoday.com/e/sightseeing/daibutsu.html
  • http://www.japan-i.jp/explorejapan/kanto/kanagawa/kamakura-shonan/4oa00l0000006uhr.html
  • https://www.annees-de-pelerinage.com/great-buddha-of-kamakura-at-kotoku-in/
The Great Buddha of Kamakura
4-2-28, Hase
Kamakura
Japan
35.316911, 139.535736
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Photo of Kamakura

Kamakura

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