About
When you step into the Central Community Center in Itakura Town, Gunma Prefecture, your eyes are immediately drawn to an extraordinary presence standing out in the tranquil space. There, seated in quiet dignity, is a statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, approximately 1.8 meters tall. However, when you approach and observe its details, feelings of astonishment and awe well up inside. This is because the Kannon statue is intricately crafted from about 20,000 insects.
Stag beetles, rhinoceros beetles, jewel beetles, scarab beetles, flower chafers, longhorn beetles—these insects, over the course of six years and under the skillful hands of artist Yoneji Inamura, have been elevated into the form of a Buddhist statue. Inamura, passionate about insect collecting and full of compassion for these lives, created this Kannon as a “memorial for insects.” (another-tokyo.com)
Though the expression of the Kannon is serene, the exoskeletons covering its surface emit a unique sheen, evoking a mysterious aura. The arms and hands feature the mandibles of stag beetles ingeniously arranged as fingers, and the palms joined in prayer are densely packed with scarab and jewel beetles. From the halo behind the statue to the pedestal on which it sits, insects fill every gap, overwhelming viewers with their intricacy and impact. (chindera.com)
The model for this statue is the Thousand-Armed Kannon enshrined at Toshodaiji Temple in Nara. It is said that the Kannon of Toshodaiji was once housed in a shrine adorned with the wings of jewel beetles, and inheriting that tradition, Inamura created his own statue using insects. (chindera.com)
However, this work is not mere imitation. It is an endeavor to honor the lives of insects and preserve their beauty for eternity, a creation that appeals to us with messages about the transience and preciousness of life. This Kannon, woven from the vibrant colors and forms of countless insects, is truly a work of art where nature and human creativity are intertwined.
Standing in the quiet space of the community center, this Kannon statue deeply moves and provokes contemplation in those who visit. Offering a sense of the cycle of life, respect for nature, and the infinite potential of human creativity, this place is truly worth experiencing in person.