This statue is a replica of the original statue in Sanbutsu-ji Temple. The original is in the temple's Nageire-dō, the remains of Vajrayana construction designated as a Japanese national treasure
Zao Gongen is a deity between Shinto (indigenous religion of Japan) and Buddhism. Zao Gongen's statues are only seen in Japan. This posture represents the moment when the deity sprung forth out of the rocks, and the youthful and fierce expression combined with the red flames lend a regal air to the statue