Kyoto Daibutsu, Buddhist temple statue in Higashiyama-ku, Japan.
The Kyoto Daibutsu stands within Hōkō-ji temple and rises 19 meters tall, constructed from wood and copper. The materials create a striking appearance when viewed from within the temple grounds, with the composition showing careful craftsmanship.
The original figure was constructed in 1588 under the direction of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The builder incorporated melted weapons that had been collected from non-samurai citizens throughout the country.
This is one of Japan's three great Buddha statues and represents Buddhist sculptural art from the Azuchi-Momoyama period. The figure remains a focal point for visitors seeking to understand how craftspeople of that era expressed their faith through large-scale works.
The temple grounds are accessible by public transportation connecting to Higashiyama district. Local information centers can help guide you through the area and advise on the best times to visit without heavy crowds.
The first Western drawing of any Japanese Daibutsu came from this statue when Engelbert Kaempfer sketched it in 1691. This early artistic record introduced the figure to audiences beyond Japan.
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