Kyushu National Museum

Located on the premises of Dazaifu Tenmangu in the City of Dazaifu (Fukuoka Prefecture), you will first enjoy the plum trees lining the walk to the entrance. Ride the escalator on the right and the museum will pop into view as if out of nowhere. This modern museum building is home to many exhibits, all of which you should not miss.

I just went to see the exhibit currently on display until March 24th entitled “Daigoji Temple:

A Shingon Esoteric Buddhist Universe in Kyoto”. In complete silence, people intently look at the statues. The statues themselves are rough on the outside but it’s as if they’re breathing, exuding a sense of calm. This exhibit shows history spanning several hundred years of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. It’s powerful and yet pulls on something that I felt was sleeping inside me. The statues said to me, “Don’t give up on your day-to-day work; give hope to the future” an especially poignant sentiment considering the world at large, with all its turmoil is often a confusing place. This exhibit will bring peace to all those who view it.

Photo and Text

Amiy Mori