This is a seated stone statue of Kōbō Daishi 弘法大師 (Kūkai), originally shrine at a shrine, which already makes it an uncommon example, as Kōbō Daishi is primarily a Buddhist figure. The statue dates to 1926. The year Taishō 15 is written on the bottom. As Taishō 15 corresponds to the year 1926, this indicates that the statue was erected approximately 100 years ago. Inside the wooden shrine (zushi), there is a paper inscription reading “Yakuyoke Taishi – Yakuōji Temple.” Yakuyoke means “warding off misfortune,” and this title shows that Kōbō Daishi was venerated here as a protective deity believed to avert bad luck, illness, and calamities. Additional inscriptions inside the zushi read “Manrei Kuyō” (memorial services for all souls) and “Byōku Shōmetsu” (the elimination of suffering from illness), indicating that this statue was an object of prayer not only for protection from misfortune, but also for healing, spiritual repose, and the well-being of both the living and the deceased. Stone statues of Kōbō Daishi from the early 20th century are relatively rare, and examples that retain their original shrine, inscriptions, and clear devotional context are particularly uncommon. For collectors of Japanese religious art, this piece represents a rare and historically meaningful devotional sculpture. Kōbō Daishi, also known as Kūkai, was a Japanese monk from the Heian period who is renowned for founding the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism in Japan. Born in 774 and passing away in 835, he is celebrated for bringing esoteric Buddhist teachings from China to Japan after studying there. His influence extended beyond religion; Kūkai was an accomplished calligrapher, counted among the "Three Brushes" of Japanese calligraphy, and is credited with establishing the famed Shikoku Pilgrimage, a route of 88 temples that remains a popular spiritual journey today. Kūkai’s contributions weren't limited to religious teachings. He was a key figure in the advancement of education and infrastructure, establishing schools and undertaking public works projects such as irrigation systems to improve the lives of common people. Mount Koya became the center of Shingon Buddhism under his guidance, with numerous temples established there as its headquarters. Even after his death, Kōbō Daishi is revered as a living saint, and his mausoleum in Okunoin, Koya-san, is a major pilgrimage site where it is believed that he remains in eternal meditation. His influence permeates Japanese religious life and culture, and he is venerated in temples throughout the country. Yakuoji Temple was founded in 726, the third year of the Jinki era, when Gyoki Bodhisattva traveled to this area at the request of Emperor Shomu and established a temple there. In 815, the sixth year of the Kōnin era, when Kobo Daishi was 42 years old, he founded Yakuoji Temple in Awa Province by imperial order of Emperor Heizei, carving the principal image of the Yakushi Nyorai Buddha, who is said to ward off evil. The temple is the 23rd of the 88 sacred sites of Shikoku, and is known throughout the country as the primary place of prayer for warding off evil. Height: 32.4 cm Width: 23.2 cm Depth: 17.1 m Weight: 8850 g Condition: The condition is generally good. There are scratches, scuffs, stains, peeling, discoloration, chips, etc. There is no major damage. This is a delicate item, so please handle with care. Please consider this as an old item. We have posted many photos, so please take a look. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 121122571215