Koshouji Kannon Statue

At Takakatsu-ji, which belongs to the Shingon sect of the Sakahama area, there is a statue of Kannon Bodhisattva designated as a cultural property by Tokyo Metropolis. This statue was originally the principal image of Myofuku-ji, which was also located in Sakahama (now a ruined temple), and it is said to have been moved to Takakatsu-ji after the temple's closure. It is currently enshrined in the Jizo Hall of Takakatsu-ji. It is believed to have been created in the late Heian period (around the early 12th century) and is considered one of the oldest and most valuable statues in the city, along with the Amida Triad of Joraku-ji.
This statue is carved from a single piece of zelkova wood and stands 155.5 centimeters tall. It stands upright on a pedestal, with its right hand hanging down and palm facing forward, while its left hand is bent forward holding a lotus flower. The head is adorned with a topknot, and the eyes are made with inlaid eyes. A piece of cloth drapes from the left shoulder to the right side, and the heavenly garments hang down from both shoulders, covering the arms and trailing down on both sides. The body is coated with lacquer and gold leaf, while the hair and clothing are painted, but most of the paint has now flaked off, leaving only a little of the undercoat.
The structure is carved from a single piece of wood for the head and body, and no internal hollowing has been done. The parts below the elbows, the free parts of the heavenly garments, the tips of the feet, and the held objects are considered to be later additions.
Although it is made using the ancient technique of single-piece carving, the gentle expression with downcast eyes and the shallow folds of the clothing show characteristics of the Fujiwara period (late Heian period). However, there are also differences from the style of Jocho, such as a somewhat slender face and the eyes being quite close to the bridge of the nose. The production date has been debated, with theories ranging from the mid to late Heian period, but due to its single-piece construction and its deviation from the typical Jocho style, it is believed to date from the early 12th century.
Additionally, the shrine that houses the Kannon statue has undergone significant alterations in recent repairs, but based on the carvings of the wooden brackets and the middle supports, it is considered to be a structure from the late 17th to early 18th century, making it a valuable cultural property along with the Kannon statue.