Usuki Stone Buddhas

JAPAN, Oita, Usuki

Usuki houses the largest set of cliff sculptures in Japan. At the site there are two five-element stupas inscribed with the dates 1170 and 1172, which suggest the age of the carvings. The collection can be categorized into four subgroups: the 13 stone Buddhas in one niche at Furuzono; the 3 Buddhas in one niche on Sannozan; the first Hoki subgroup with 25 statues in four niches; and the second Hoki subgroup with 18 statues in two niches. These total eight niches containing 59 figures, mostly carved in high relief from volcanic rock. The figures were listed as a National Treasure in 1995.
The Furuzono figures are the earliest and include Vairocana Buddha, four other Buddhas, four Bodhisattvas, two Wisdom Kings, and two heavenly beings. Among the figures, the Vairocana Buddha image is the most intricately crafted, with eyes inlaid with crystals and painted lips. The figure in the center of the Sannozan group is said to be 2.65 m high Sakyamuni Buddha, flanked by Amitabha and the Medicine Buddha. The first Hoki subgroup consists of Amitabha Buddha, Vairocana Buddha, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva seated together in a row, accompanied by Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattvas. Additional statues of the Ten Kings of Hell create a spectacular formation in varied postures. The two niches found in the second Hoki subgroup contain the largest set of Amitabha Buddha figures. One is dedicated to the Amitabha Buddha Triad, while the other houses a seated Amitabha Buddha in the center, with four smaller standing Amitabha Buddhas on each side, expressing the nine grades of rebirth in the Western Pure Land. A standing Bodhisattva and another heavenly being are carved on the outer flanks of this niche.