"Rebirth of New Colors and Beauty" Exhibition

Byodoin Temple Museum Hoshokan

This event has ended.

Considered as a third dimensional expression of Buddha and the land of Buddhism, Buddhist temples have been unified with the Buddhist ornaments and always decorated with delicate patterns and gorgeous colors. Hououdo has been well-known for its luxurious decoration from the Insei period and is considered of historic value. About 50 years ago, Tsunekichi Oba, Kiichiro Kusaka and Shojiro Yamazaki had attempted the reproduction and restoration of its color for about 20 months.
In 2004, the Agency for Cultural Affairs undertook a color restoration of Hououdo for three months. Applying methods of the scientific research with X-ray fluorescence and the electron microscope, technique and materials used for its construction are specified and Hououdo recovered its completed figure by Ryoji Baba.