He carved not just a statue—but himself.
This Fudo Myoo, sword held in both hands, is said to be the only Buddhist image ever sculpted by Miyamoto Musashi. Unlike any traditional Fudo, its fierce posture mirrors Musashi’s own sword stance. In the Collected Works of Musashi’s Legacy, it is described as “a vision no ordinary sculptor could dream.”
It is, unmistakably, Musashi’s self-portrait in divine form.
The original statue once stood at Ungan-ji Temple, home to the sacred Reigando Cave where Musashi wrote The Book of Five Rings. For generations, it remained there—until it disappeared 65 years ago.
In 2025, that silence was broken. A full-scale replica, created with reverence and precision, was returned to the temple. In a moving ceremony, the head priest performed a consecration (kaigen kuyo)—and with it, this statue once again became more than wood.
It became a vessel of Musashi’s spirit.
Every replica carries this sacred moment.
Crafted from high-precision 3D scans of the original, each statue is carved and finished by hand using MORITA’s hybrid method—merging digital exactness with centuries-old craftsmanship. Even the statue’s missing fingers and broken toe were left untouched—a decision made not out of neglect, but out of deep respect.
To repair them would be to rewrite the scars of time. And Musashi would not have wanted that.
The finishing touches are applied by master painter Takamura Chihiro, heir to the classical art of wood statue coloring. Each piece comes with:
Certification from Shimada Museum of Arts (which houses the original)
Consecration certificate from Ungan-ji Temple
Hand-painted certification from Takamura Chihiro
A traditional paulownia wood box for safekeeping
When the statue stands at nearly 45cm tall, its presence changes a room. You feel not aggression, but an unshakable stillness. Not fear, but clarity.
This is not a decorative object. It is a guardian, a relic, a soul in wood.
For those who love Musashi—not just the legend, but the man—this statue is a once-in-a-lifetime offering.