Koshouji Kannon Statue

At Kōshō-ji Temple, belonging to the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism in Sakahama, there is a standing statue of Kannon Bosatsu designated as a Tokyo Metropolitan Cultural Property. This Buddhist statue was originally the principal image of Myōfuku-ji Temple, which was also located in Sakahama but is now defunct. It is said to have been moved to Kōshō-ji Temple after Myōfuku-ji was abolished. Currently, it is enshrined in the Jizō Hall of Kōshō-ji. It is believed to have been created in the latter half of the Heian period (early 12th century) and, along with the Amida Triad statue of Jōraku-ji Temple, is considered one of the oldest and most valuable Buddhist statues in the city.
This Buddhist statue is carved from a single piece of zelkova wood and stands 155.5 centimeters tall. It stands upright on a pedestal, with the right hand hanging down and the palm facing forward, while the left hand is bent forward holding a lotus flower. The head features a topknot hairstyle, and the eyes are carved. A sash drapes from the left shoulder to the right side, and the heavenly robe hangs from both shoulders, covering the arms and extending down on both sides. The body is covered with lacquer and gold leaf, while the hair and clothing are painted, though most of the paint has now peeled off, leaving only a slight trace of the base layer.
The structure is carved from a single piece of wood for the head and body, and no hollowing out (removal of the interior of the statue) has been done. The parts beyond both elbows, the detached sections of the celestial robe, the feet, and the objects held are considered to be later additions.
Although it is made using the old technique called "ichiboku-zukuri" (carving from a single piece of wood), features characteristic of the Fujiwara period (late Heian period) can be seen in the calm expression of the downcast eyes and the shallow folds of the clothing. However, there are also differences from the Jōchō style (a refined and harmonious style of Japanese Buddhist sculpture perfected by the sculptor Jōchō), such as the somewhat slender face and the eyes being quite close to the bridge of the nose. The production date has been debated, ranging from the mid to late Heian period, but due to it being carved from a single piece of wood and not fitting the typical Jōchō style, it is considered to be from around the early 12th century.
Although the shrine housing the statue of Kannon Bosatsu has undergone significant alterations during recent repairs, the carvings on the wooden brackets and the central decorative elements suggest that it is a structure from the late 17th to early 18th century, making it a valuable cultural asset along with the statue of Kannon Bosatsu.