Japan seems to be fascinated with anything gigantic, which may explain why Godzilla came into being. If I recall correctly, there is another giant buddha in Nara (more on this later).
International Christian University (Tokyo) JDS fellows pose in front of the Kamakura daibatsu (the one in orange isn’t Garfield, but the stout image of this blogger’s former self)
But unlike its Nara cousin, the Kamakura daibatsu sits out in the open. The statue, it is said, was originally housed in Kotokuin temple but the enclosure was swept away by a tsunami in the late 15th century.
Garfield and friends, with the great buddha in the background
The serenity of the sitting bronze buddha has mesmerized thousands, including the so-called Lady of Nijo, and English poet Sir Rudyard Kipling.
Looking down, it is as if this red torii was built to invoke the gods’ protection from giant waves. The temple where the daibatsu was said to be housed originally was purportedly swept away by a tsunami. With the temple this close from the shore, there is practically no need for explanation.
