Images

The gilded wooden statue of Kannon at the Buddhist temple of Sanjusangendo, Heiankyo (Kyoto), Japan. Height: 3.3 metres. Made in 1254 CE by the sculptor Tankei.

A statue of Shagara, a Buddhist guardian deity and one of the Eight Dragon kings. 1.65 metres (65 inches) tall. 12-14th century CE. Sanjusangendo temple, Kyoto, Japan.

Some of the 1,000 gilded wooden statues of Kannon, the bodhisattva, which fill the interior of the Sanjusangendo temple, Kyoto, Japan. 12-13th century CE. Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

The wooden main hall building of the Buddhist Sanjusangendo temple complex, Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1165 CE and restored in 1266 CE.

The Benten Pond of the Daigoji Buddhist temple complex at Kyoto, Japan. The site was founded in 874 CE.

The Main Hall (Kondo, aka Golden Hall) of the Buddhist temple complex Daigoji, Kyoto, Japan. Kamakura Period (1185-1333 CE).

The five-storey pagoda at the Buddhist temple complex of Daigoji, Kyoto (Heiankyo), Japan. Built in 951 CE, it is the oldest building in the city.

Bust of Roman poet, Virgil (70-19 BCE). Parco della Grotta di Posillipo, Piedigrotta, Naples.

An 1855 CE woodblock print depicting Namazu, the catfish of Japanese mythology which causes earthquakes and redistributes wealth via his chaos.

The Fushimi Inari Shrine near Kyoto (Heiankyo) is the largest and most important shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and prosperity. It is famous for the large number of red gates (torii) at the site. The shrine was founded...