After the World War II, many large statues representing Kannon were raised in Japan as prayers for world peace and to honor those who died during the war. In the Buddhist tradition, Kannon is the Bodhisattva of Compassion, also known as “One Who Hears the Prayers of the World".

The 24-meters-tall Ryōzen Kannon was built in 1955 as a Memorial to the Unknown Soldier of World War II and it remained until today the only giant statue in Kyoto.

Ryozen Kannon Statue, Higashiyama, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Japanese modern architecture, Kyoto Station interior