Celebration of Buddhism and Art at Koyasan temple complex in Japan
The Koyasan temple complex, a 12-century Buddhist sanctuary in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is celebrating the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi), the founder of the temple complex and Shingon, the Japanese form of Vajrayana Buddhism, with a two-month art festival that will conclude on 15 December.
The Koyasan temple complex, situated atop a picturesque mountain, serves as a testament to the spiritual and architectural achievements of the Shingon school of Japanese Buddhism.
It is intended to honor the memory of Kukai and will host an art festival called Koyasan Art Days (KAD). This festival brings together a blend of Buddhist and Buddhist-inspired art, bridging the gap between contemporary creations by emerging artists and centuries-old national treasures.
KAD will be held in the vicinity of Kongobu-ji temple and will feature a public art exhibition and events in the garden near the entrances of the Reihokan Museum and Daishi Kyokai, the administrative headquarters of Shingon Buddhism.
The exhibited works include pieces inspired by Koyasan artifacts, skillfully crafted by renowned Japanese artists like Tamae Hirokawa, Yuko Bito, and Hideki Yoshimoto.
