The Great Buddha of Kamakura, Meiji era (1868-1912)

Daibutsu of Kamakura – Kotoku-in Temple, Meiji Era

Details

• Museum-grade fine art reproduction from a original hand-colored photograph from the Meiji period (1868–1912), Japan

• Features the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kotoku-in Temple, Kamakura, framed by lush foliage

• Celebrated symbol of spiritual calm, resilience, and enlightenment

• Ideal for collectors of Buddhist art, meditative decor, and Japanese heritage photography

About the Artwork

Step into a moment of stillness and spiritual grace with this exquisite hand-colored photograph of the Great Buddha (Daibutsu) of Kamakura, taken during the Meiji era at Kotoku-in Temple. This monumental bronze statue—cast in the 13th century and surviving centuries of natural disasters—sits in quiet majesty, nestled among pines, cedars, and flowering trees. Its calm expression and meditative posture have drawn seekers and admirers for generations.

In this rare 19th-century photograph, the Daibutsu seems to emerge gently from nature itself. Soft hand-applied pigments lend a dreamy, painterly quality to the image—cool greens and warm rust tones echo the season, while subtle shadows highlight the depth and form of the statue’s ancient surface. The carefully composed view invites you into a sacred landscape where nature, sculpture, and atmosphere become one.

Originally created for domestic and international audiences fascinated by Japan’s temples and philosophical traditions, this photograph is not just a record of place—it is a meditative object in its own right. A timeless image of enlightenment framed by living nature, it brings tranquility to any space it inhabits.