Location Ishikawa Archaeological Foundation
Shirae Kakehashigawa Site Artifact: Hanging Buddha
- Display status
- No permanent display
- Period
- Muromachi Period (late 14th century)
- Form/Type
- Archaeological material
- Location
- Shirae-machi (Komatsu City)
The Shirae Kakehashigawa Site comprises the remains of a village built on alluvial land in the middle reaches of the Kakehashi River. Three pieces of “hanging buddha” (one plaque and two figures) were unearthed from the remains of a shrine discovered on the north side. All of these are sacred tools that were called mishotai, meaning “the true form of God” during the spread of syncretism between Shintoism and Buddhism.
The hanging Buddha plaque has the best remaining structure (photo). The mirror surface, made of a circular board (9.9 cm in diameter) covered with a thin copper plate, features a cast Buddha figure (4.2 cm high, bottom center), as well as decorative fittings such as a canopy and a vase and a metal fitting for hanging.
The two hanging Buddha figures, which have lost their mirror plate, are a seated eleven-faced Kannon figure and a seated Tathagata figure. It is reported that three hanging Buddha plaques were originally enshrined in the shrine.
Since the eleven-faced Kannon is thought to be the figure of the Hakusan deity in this world, it is thought that the three hanging Buddha plaques were worshiped as deities of the Hakusan faith.
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Opened in 1998 as an open facility for the excavation and organization of excavated artifacts and the publication of reports on buried cultural properties (archaeological sites) that convey the history and culture of Ishikawa prefecture, as well as to hold exhibitions and lectures that make use of the results. The exhibition rooms comprise sections organized by theme and era, where you can see and touch precious earthenware and stone tools discovered from archaeological sites throughout the prefecture. In 2001, they also opened the Ancient Experience Area, where you can enjoy learning about the lives and techniques of ancient people. Both adults and children can learn about local history in an accessible and easy manner, while deepening their interest and understanding of cultural properties.
18-1 Nakatomachi, Kanazawa, 920-1336 Google Maps
TEL 076-229-4477 E-mail daihyou@ishikawa-maibun.or.jp
