Art sights in Kansai

1. A Map

   Rokuharamitsu-ji

   • Kyoto, Japan
   • Sights › Art

   An important Buddhist pilgrimage stop, this temple was founded in 963 by Kūya Shōnin, who carved an image of an 11-headed Kannon and installed it in the temple in the hope of stopping a plague that was ravaging Kyoto at the time. The temple itself is unremarkable but the treasure house at the rear contains a rare collection of 15 fantastic statues; the most intriguing is a standing likeness of Kūya, staff in hand and prayer gong draped around his neck, with a string of tiny figurines parading from his gums. Legend holds that while praying one day, these manifestations of the Buddha suddenly ambled out of his mouth.

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2. B Map

   Kasuga Taisha Hōmotsu-den

   • Nara, Japan
   • Sights › Art

   The Hōmotsu-den (Treasure Hall) is just north of the entrance torii for the Kasuga Taisha shrine. The hall displays Shintō ceremonial regalia and equipment used in bugaku, nō and gagaku performances.

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