[For Seniors] Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts About the Great Buddha of Kamakura: Questions You'll Want to Share

urna (the white hair tuft between the eyebrows of a Buddha)

The white tuft of hair attached to the forehead of the Great Buddha of Kamakura is called the “byakugō,” or urna. The byakugō is a common feature of Buddhist statues and is counted among the Thirty-Two Marks of a Great Man possessed by the Buddha. This part symbolizes the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion, and it is traditionally said to be a white, tightly curled hair forming a spiral. Noticing it when viewing Buddhist statues can help you feel a deeper sense of the Buddha’s grace and history.

4 sheets

On the back of the Great Buddha of Kamakura, four decorative plates called renben, shaped like lotus petals, are arranged in a row. Renben are lotus-petal motifs used to decorate pedestals. Originally, 32 renben were planned to be cast, but only four—those that remain today—were completed.

bronze

The Great Buddha of Kamakura is made of bronze. It is said that the original statue was wooden, but the one that remains today is bronze. It stands about 11.3 meters tall. Although it has undergone multiple restorations throughout its long history, most of the work has involved the bronze sections. Because bronze is resistant to rust and very durable, the statue has retained its beautiful appearance to this day.

Oriental smile

The mouth of the Great Buddha of Kamakura is characterized by a gentle, serene smile. This expression is often referred to by people from overseas as an “Oriental smile,” said to evoke a calm and composed atmosphere. Unlike Western smiles, it does not reveal too much emotion and is appreciated as a symbol of inner peace and tranquility. Such an expression is a significant appeal that conveys Japan’s unique aesthetic sensibilities and the culture of Buddhist statuary.

2.35 meters

The correct answer is 2.35 meters. The face of the Great Buddha of Kamakura is extremely large—much taller than the height of an average adult man—and that’s just the face alone. Seeing it up close, you’ll be struck by its imposing presence and the beauty of its delicate expressions.

Akiko Yosano

This tanka was composed by Akiko Yosano. Yosano, a poet known for her passionate style, made major contributions to the development of modern tanka. In this poem, she praises the Great Buddha of Kamakura as a handsome man and vividly depicts the scene of gazing up at the statue amid the summer grove.

February 27, 2004

The entire precinct of Kotoku-in was designated as a National Historic Site as the “Site of the Great Buddha Hall of Kamakura” on February 27, 2004. This is because the value of the “Great Buddha of Kamakura” in Japan’s history and culture is highly recognized. Although the Great Buddha Hall itself was lost in the great earthquake of 1498, the site, including its remains, is protected and preserved by the national government as a historic site.