When I went to see the special exhibition “Unkei: A Space of Prayer – Kofukuji’s Northern Octagonal Hall” at the Tokyo National Museum, one more thing I really wanted to check out was the “VR Experience: Kofukuji National Treasure Ashura Statue.” While the VR works at TNM’s Museum Theater are in a theater format, meaning no interaction, they let you see pieces you normally wouldn’t get a chance to. But what’s even more valuable is that you can get incredibly close to see the intricate details and enjoy the artwork from angles you usually can’t. So, it’s one of my favorite spots to visit whenever the featured content changes.
Upon closer inspection, both the figure’s body lines and its six arms are surprisingly slender, yet the Ashura statue stands with a quiet strength and dignity. What I believe draws so many people to this statue is its mysterious, melancholic expression, despite its youthful, almost childlike appearance. Most people are familiar with the front face, but the left and right faces have different expressions: the left face has lips slightly bitten, suggesting deep thought or contemplation, while the right face conveys a strong gaze, as if making a firm decision. I’m sure you can see it to some extent in person, but I doubt you could observe it this closely and leisurely amidst a crowd.
Furthermore, this VR experience provided a detailed explanation of the Buddhist statue crafting technique called “Dakkatsu Kanshitsu-zukuri” (hollow dry lacquer). This method involves first building a clay prototype, then layering hemp cloth soaked in lacquer dozens of times over it. After drying, the inner clay is removed, and a wooden core is inserted to support the entire structure. This is why the Ashura statue is hollow inside and actually weighs only about 15 kilograms! And apparently, the Ashura statue’s soft expression is also a result of the unique expressiveness made possible by this technique.
It was a highly satisfying VR experience, lasting just over 30 minutes. It’s running until December 21st, and compared to the Unkei exhibition, it’s far less crowded, making it a hidden gem, I think. Highly recommended!
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