2 hour private experience
Location: Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
A Buddhist sculptor (busshi) and restorer originally from Yamagata Prefecture, Akio works out of his workshop studio in Kamakura. Since working on the monumental 6-meter Niou statues at Sojiji Temple in 1969, he has created and restored Buddhist images throughout Japan, including serving as Art Advisor for the restoration of Hasedera Temple's Eleven-Faced Kannon.
What you’ll do
…
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (14:00 - 16:00)
Not available on national holidays.
Who can attend
Children must be 15+
Access
10min from Kamakura Station by car.
45min from Yokohama Station by car.
Larger than Life
Beginning with a block of carefully selected wood, the wood sculptor first sketches the image of the Buddha onto the wooden block, then chips away the wood accurately and carefully, from a rough outline to detailed carvings and trimmings to reflect the delicate intricacies of the Buddha being sculpted. Such artisans arrived in Japan in tandem with the advent of Buddhism, bringing with them their specialised skills of carving spiritual images from wood. From carving Buddhist images to be stored and worshipped in temples, to designing and guiding the creation of massive projects such as Nara's Great Buddha, these specialised wood sculptors, called busshi, have passed their skill and craft down through the generations.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
