the … temple of otagi nenbutsu-ji愛宕念仏寺 located in the hills near arashiyamain the prefecture of kyoto, is a little off the beaten track for most tourists on a three or four day visit to the great city, which is the repository of so much of japanese historical culture and tradition. visitors who make the effort will find a surprisingly entertaining and cheerful aspect of japanese buddhism. the present incarnation of the temple was built in 1922, although its institutional origins can be traced back to the heianera; the eighth century AC.

it is famed for its collection of over 1200 rakanor carved figurines representing disciples of the buddha. the figurines are a continuation of mahayanaindian buddhism where devotional statues of disciples who have attained enlightenment ; nirvana, or satoriin japanese, known as arhatare displayed in temple grounds. what’s different about these figurines is that they are contemporary although they appear, covered in moss, to be as ancient as some of the more well-known zen temples in kyoto. whereas the arhatof older buddhist traditions are somewhat sombre or formal, the rakanfigures are notable for their whimsy and humour.