The Statue of Master Ingen to Be Installed at His First Landing Site in Japan: Nagasaki Kofukuji Temple

On November 5, in Nagasaki, Momoda Naritama, Chief Official of the Nagasaki Prefecture Cultural Promotion Division, announced that Nagasaki Toomeizan Kofukuji Temple will hold a ceremony on November 14 to unveil the Master Ingen statue donated by China and activate the Brahma Bell. The event will invite participants from both China and Japan to join in-person and online。

The Master Ingen statue, created by Chinese sculptor and Director of the National Art Museum of China, Wu Weishan, was designed to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Kofukuji Temple. It will be permanently installed at the entrance of the ancient temple.The statue of Master Ingen is 3.28 meters tall, weighs 438 kilograms, and is made of bronze.This sculpture captures the spirit of Master Ingen, a renowned 17th-century monk, for visitors to admire and pay their respects.The base of the statue is inscribed with the words "Master Ingen Statue" by Japan's renowned seal engraver Shi Mura Myoseki. This unique collaboration embodies the shared wish of the artistic communities of both nations for Sino-Japanese peace and cooperation.Additionally, the "World Peace Bell," donated by Fujian Province in China, was successfully installed on the first floor of Kofukuji Temple's bell and drum tower on February 26 of this year. It will be inaugurated with its first ringing on November 14.The Master Ingen statue and the Brahma Bell will serve as symbols of Sino-Japanese friendship, to be passed down through generations。

Kofukuji Temple, built in 1620, is the oldest Tang-style temple in Japan and stands as a testament to the long history of Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges.Originally, Kofukuji Temple was established as a Mazu temple by Ming Dynasty merchants to pray for maritime safety. The current abbot of Kofukuji Temple is Matsuo Hodo。

Kofukuji Temple was the first temple in Japan where Master Ingen, a renowned monk from Fuqing, Fujian, served as abbot after traveling to Japan to spread Buddhism. The temple still preserves plaques, couplets, and other works handwritten by Master Ingen.In 1654, at the invitation of Kofukuji Temple's abbot Yiran Xingrong and the Chinese community in Nagasaki, the 63-year-old Master Ingen traveled to Japan with his disciples, landed in Nagasaki, and became the abbot of Kofukuji Temple.With the support of the Japanese Imperial Family and Tokugawa shoguns, Master Ingen later founded the Obaku sect of the Rinzai school in Uji, Kyoto. After the Meiji era, it became the Obaku school, one of the three major Zen sects in Japan。

Master Ingen’s journey to Japan not only spread Buddhism but also introduced Chinese philosophy, architecture, sculpture, calligraphy, printing, painting, carving, music, medicine, cuisine, and tea culture. Collectively known as the world-renowned "Huangbo Culture," these contributions played an important role in the history of Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges。

It is reported that 2022 will mark the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.With joint efforts from both Chinese and Japanese parties, the statue of Master Ingen will stand permanently at the 400-year-old Kofukuji Temple. This will not only allow more Japanese citizens and international visitors to learn about this chapter of Sino-Japanese exchange history but also symbolize the shared hope of both nations to use art as a bridge to touch hearts, enhance cultural exchanges, and strengthen the ties of humanity。