[Today's Museum] Special Exhibition: Unkei: The Sacred Space of Kofuku-ji Temple's Northern Octagonal Hall

*I am very sorry, but this article is about a visit to a special exhibition that has already closed. I wish I had put this together a little sooner, but it is too late now. This is entirely a matter of self-satisfaction, so please bear with me.

⭕️ I went to the Tokyo National Museum's special exhibition
"Unkei: The Sacred Space of Kofuku-ji Temple's Northern Octagonal Hall."

An exhibition that attempted to recreate the inner sanctuary of Kofuku-ji Temple's Northern Octagonal Hall
as it was during the Kamakura period restoration, using only the seven National Treasure statues by the genius Kamakura-period Buddhist sculptor
Unkei, which can be considered his greatest masterpieces: the main
Maitreya Buddha seated statue
statues of Asanga and Vasubandhu
and the Four Heavenly Kings (Jikokuten, Zochoten, Komokuten, Tamonten). I was truly glad to be able to see the actual statues of the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu.

Even after they return to Kofuku-ji Temple later,
it seems unlikely that they will return to this configuration from the Kamakura period.
The temple likely has its own circumstances,
such as space suitable for viewing
or the efficient scheduling of its superstars.

It closes on Sunday, November 30, so if you are interested, please go soon.
Yesterday, even on a weekday, it was quite crowded.
There was a 30-minute line at the ticket window
and about a 30-minute line to enter the main building.
To reduce the number of times you have to wait in line,
I recommend purchasing an electronic ticket on your smartphone.
I hurriedly bought mine in front of the main gate.

The Yogacara (Vijnaptimatra) by the older brother
Asanga and the younger brother Vasubandhu is said to be one of the pinnacles of
Mahayana Buddhism. Even after reading various commentaries and such, it feels like I understand it
and yet I don't,
or at least it's something I can't explain well to others,
something that may or may not have a tangible reality,
it's that kind of elusive topic, which is perhaps why it is so fascinating.

In fact, Yogacara is highly compatible with the practice of yoga (Yogacara), so one cannot deny the aspect that it is easily exploited by the fraudulent sermons of cults.
I don't remember well,
but I feel like that happened in the past too. (← feigning ignorance)

Anyway,
to prevent new tragedies,
I think it is better to properly study
not just Buddhism,
but various religions.

Oh, that's right, I forgot to write something important.
The audio guide narrated by Issey Takahashi was quite good,
as his voice matched the content perfectly.
(2025/11/12)