Overview
Protecting Japan's cultural and historical heritage is the Important Cultural Property listing. Featuring a number of sub-categories, including Sculptures, the classification ensures that items awarded such status are eligible for official government support. Tokyo is home to a number of locations that house such sculptures. Here is a simple guide to where in Tokyo you can find Important Cultural Property sculptures.
Fuchu City
Zenmyo-ji Temple holds a seated Amida Nyorai statue made of iron known as Tetsuzo Amida Nyorai Zazo. Awarded Important Cultural Property status in 1913, the statue statue dates back to the 12th century. Sculpted by one Fujiwara Sukechika, the statue is almost two metres in height.
Location: 1-5-4 Honmachi, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 〒183-0027 (nearest station: Fuchu-Honmachi Station, JR Musashino Line)
Okunitama Shrine features a pair of wooden guardian dog statues known as Mokuzo Komainu. Awarded Important Cultural Property status in 1949, the statues were sculpted by Hirauchi Masanobu in the early 17th century and include decorative features like crystal eyes and gold foil.
Location: 3-1 Miyacho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 〒183-0023 (nearest station: Fuchu Station, Keio Line)
Someya Fudoson Temple holds a copper statue called Dozo Amida Nyorai Ryuzo. The statue was sculpted in the mid-16th century and, as legend has it, appeared in a dream by one of the Tokugawa shoguns who returned it to the temple after coming into possession of it. The statue was awarded Important Cultural Property status in 1928.
Location: 1-11-11-8 Shiraitodai, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 〒183-0011 (nearest station: Shiraitodai Station, Seibu Tamgawa Line)
Hino City
Mogusa Hachiman Shrine also holds a copper statue of Amida Nyorai, this time seated. Known as Dozo Amida Nyorai Zazo, the statue was built in the 12th century and awarded Important Cultural Property status in 1914. The statue is only available for public viewing in September.
Location: 867 Mogusa, Hino-shi, Tokyo 〒191-0033 (nearest station: Mogusaen Station, Keio Line)
Kongo-ji Temple holds a wooden statue set featuring of the Buddhist deity Fudomyo with two attendants on either side. Awarded Important Cultural Property status in 1994, the statues were made in the 12th century and feature Sanskrit inscriptions.
Location: 733 Takahata, Hino-shi, Tokyo 〒191-0031 (nearest station: Takahatafudo Station, Keio Line)
Kunitachi City
Yabo Tenmangu Shrine holds a pair of wooden guardian lion-dogs known as Mokuzo Shishi-komainu. Given Important Cultural Property status in 2003, the statues feature crystal eyes and, made out of cypress tree wood, are representative of the sculpting style of the 12th century
Location: 5209 Yabo, Kunitachi-shi, Tokyo 〒186-0011 (nearest station: Yaho Station, JR Nanbu Line)
Meguro Ward
Daien-ji Temple features a late-12th century wooden statue of a standing Shaka-nyorai known as Mokuzo Shakaryorai Ryuzo. A copy of the a statue found in Kyoto, it was awarded Important Cultural Property status in 1957. Soon after, a mirror, women's hair, some paper and wooden tags were discovered inside of it.
Location: 1-8-5 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 〒153-0064 (nearest station: Meguro Station, JR Yamanote Line)
