On the place of today’s Fukusai-ji Temple in Nagasaki, there used to be an ancient temple that was destroyed in 1945 by the atomic explosion. The unusual shape of the new building was probably determined by the temple’s new role as mausoleum for the Japanese soldiers who died during the World War II, and it is inspired by the old turtle-back tombs in Okinawa. The 18 meters tall statue represents Kannon, the Bodhisattva of compassion.

Kannon Statue, Fukusai-ji Temple, Nagasaki

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Rainy day in Gion, Kyoto