Ryozen Kannon

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Concrete statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.
Concrete statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara.

The Ryozen Kannon is a war memorial commemorating the Japanese who died during World War II located in Eastern Kyoto. The concrete and steel statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Kannon) was built by Hirosuke Ishikawa and unveiled on the 8th June 1955. The statue is 24 m (80 ft) high and weighs approximately 500 tons.

Memorial to the Unknown Soldier of World War II.
Memorial to the Unknown Soldier of World War II.

The shrine beneath the statue contains an image of Bodhisattva Ekādaśamukha and images of the god of wind and god of thunder. Memorial tablets of 2 million Japanese who died in World War II are also stored here. Four times a day services are conducted in their memory. Also on the site is a memorial hall in honour of the unknown soldier killed in World War II.

[edit] References

  • Ryozen Kannon, undated brochure from temple


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