Tokuzo was very knowledgeable in the field of design, and was
also actively involved in designing the Doukutsu Kannon statues
that were created by the genius sculptor Rakuzan. The overall
balance of the statues and the clothing of Kannon are quite
similar to the refined aesthetic of the present day, and even
the cave on which Kannon stands represents Tokuzo’s view of the
world. This entire space could be called a masterpiece of
modern Buddhist art.
This is the unique artistic value of Doukutsu Kannon. If you
only look at Rakuzan’s depictions of Kannon, it is hard to say
what sets it apart from the many other Buddhist artworks that
have been created over its millennia-long history. However, the
vast majority of Buddhist depictions of Kannon show the
background along with her, whether it’s snow, rocks, mountains,
waterfalls, etc. Doukutsu Kannon, created by Rakuzan and
Tokuzo, is the only Buddhist artwork where the world of the
gods is made real.
Some of these Kannon statues supposedly took Rakuzan more than
a year to make. Backgrounds worthy of the glory of Kannon were
created by hand, using materials like volcanic rock and
Sanbaseki stone from Gunma Prefecture.
The decorations on the hall deep in the cave are truly
astonishing. Every detail was crafted meticulously, even the
volcanic rock adornments on the nearly 20m high ceiling; it is
undeniably worth the visit.
The work continued until Tokuzo’s death in 1964, but they were
unable to reach their goal of an 800m deep cave due to the hard
ground, and the project ended unfinished at a depth of 450m
(including areas not open to the public), half of their
original goal.
The temperature of the cave is kept at around 17°C throughout
the year. Even when the outside world is at the sweltering heat
of 40°C, the cave is kept naturally cool. Why not visit to cool
off in summer!!
Doukutsu Kannon and
Takasaki Byakue Daikannon
Built by one person:
Doukutsu Kannon
33 Kannon Statues
No.1
Yoryu Kannon楊柳観音【ようりゅう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.2
Ryuzu Kannon竜頭観音【りゅうず観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.3
Jikyou Kannon持経観音【じきょう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.4
Enkou Kannon円光観音【えんこう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.5
Yuge Kannon遊戯観音【ゆげ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.6
Byakue Kannon白衣観音【びゃくえ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.7
Renga Kannon蓮臥観音【れんが観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.8
Takimi Kannon瀧見観音【たきみ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.9
Seyaku Kannon施薬観音【せやく観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.10
Gyoran Kannon魚藍観音【ぎょらん観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.11
Tokuou Kannon徳王観音【とくおう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.12
Suigetsu Kannon水月観音【すいげつ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.13
Ichiyou Kannon一葉観音【いちよう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.14
Syoukyou Kannon青頸観音【しょうきょう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.15
Itoku Kannon威徳観音【いとく観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.16
Enmei Kannon延命観音【えんめい観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.17
Syuhou Kannon衆宝観音【しゅうほう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.18
Iwato Kannon岩戸観音【いわと観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.19
Nojo Kannon能静観音【のうじょう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.20
Anoku Kannon阿耨観音【あのく観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.21
Amadai Kannon阿摩提観音【あまだい観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.22
Youe Kannon葉衣観音【ようえ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.23
Ruri Kannon瑠璃観音【るり観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.24
Tarason Kannon多羅尊観音【たらそん観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.25
Hamaguri Kannon蛤蜊観音【はまぐり観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.26
Rokuji Kannon六時観音【ろくじ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.27
Fuhi Kannon普慈観音【ふひ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.28
Meroufu KannonCLOSED馬郎婦観音【めろうふ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.29
Gassyou KannonCLOSED合掌観音【がっしょう観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.30
Ichinyo KannonCLOSED一如観音【いちにょ観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.31
Funi KannonCLOSED不二観音【ふに観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.32
Jiren KannonCLOSED持蓮観音【じれん観音】
33 Kannon Statues
No.33
Syasui KannonCLOSED灑水観音【しゃすい観音】
6 Kannon Statues
No.1
Nyoirin Kannon如意輪観音【にょいりん観音】
6 Kannon Statues
No.2
Juichimen Kannon十一面観音【じゅういちめん観音】
6 Kannon Statues
No.3
Senju Kannon千手観音【せんじゅ観音】
6 Kannon Statues
No.4
Juntei Kannon准胝観音【じゅんてい観音】
6 Kannon Statues
No.5
Batou KannonCLOSED馬頭観音【ばとう観音】
6 Kannon Statues
No.6
Syou Kannon聖観音【しょう観音】
*There are a total of 80 Rakuzan pieces
at the facility.
*Areas not open to the public can be seen
during
the special viewings held occasionally.
