This statue is a replica of Asyura statue, the Japanese national treasure. The statue was made under the instructions of Empress Kōmyō for her deceased mother in 8C. The Asyura statue is one of the most beautiful even among the various pieces of splendid Buddhist artwork created in 8C
This is one of the most popular Buddhist statues in Japan. In 2009, close to one million people visited the “The National Treasure ASHURA and Masterpieces from Kohfukuji” exhibition in Tokyo. The statue takes the form of a handsome young man, and has gained popularity owing to the delicacy of its expression and its elegant eight-limbed figure