Ikumi Hirose
Photo by author

Recently in Japan, there has been an increased interest in traditional Japanese Buddhist culture, in particular in Buddhist statues. In 2009, an Ashura statue, a statue of a dharma-protecting deity, toured the country attracting over 1.6 million people — seventy percent of whom were women.

Some observers have suggested that this renewed interest in traditional Japanese culture is the result of Japan’s aging population. As more people reach retirement age, many enjoy sightseeing tours of museums and temples, turning their interest to their own history. This represents something of a shift from an earlier era when many Japanese were more interested in elements of Western culture.

But this trend is not restricted to older people. Fashion model Hana Matsushima recently expressed her own interest in Buddha statues, inspiring many other young women to visit temples and learn more about Buddha images. Numerous magazine articles, books, and news articles now feature information about such statues.

At the forefront of this new trend is the so-called “Butsuzo Girl,” or Buddha-statue Girl, a thirty-year-old woman by the name of Ikumi Hirose. She’s been promoting Buddha statues for the last few years, traveling from one end of the country to the other, visiting temples and shrines, giving lectures, and spreading her enthusiasm for Buddha images. Her second book on the subject, Dekakeru Kanziru Kitto Deaeru Butsuzo no Tabi, was recently published by Yama to Keikokusha publishers. Earlier this year, I had a chance to sit down with her in Tokyo and talk with her about this new-found interest in Buddha statues and Buddhism in Japan, and her work in helping to promote the Buddha’s teachings.

What’s your current job?

I am making money by giving lectures or publishing books on Buddha statues. I used to work as a web designer, but I quit that job and become “Butsuzo Girl” in May, 2007.

Why did you first become interested in Buddha statues?

When I was fourteen years old, my loving father passed away. At that moment, I knew that a dead body is very cold. That fact gave me much shock and fear, and I started to look for a way for me to run away from death.

One day, I went to Kyoto to go to Sanjusangen-do, which belongs to and is run by the Myoho-in temple, a part of the Tendai school of Buddhism. When I saw one thousand life-size statues of the Thousand Armed Kannon, my tears kept on falling because I realized that Buddha was always with me and smiling at me. I felt that I was saved by this realization. At the same time, I appreciated the ancestors who left those wonderful Buddha statues. Then, I decided to dedicate my life to promotion of this experience and statues of Buddha.

Do you have an interest in the Buddha’s teaching?

I studied Buddhist art when I was an undergraduate, but I did not study the doctrine. I personally like the teaching of Buddha.

What’s the message of the many lectures and presentations you’ve been giving lately?

I give speeches five or six times a month. I talk about the importance of the Buddha statue and that “Buddha’s statue is very gentle.” For me, a gentle heart and Buddha are same. This is what I want to tell everybody.

Japanese Buddhism is sometimes called “funeral Buddhism” by its critics who say that temples have lost touch with younger people. How do you feel about Japanese temple Buddhism?

Japanese temples should be more open spiritually and objectively. I think that when people face problems, ultimately they go to spiritual places like temples. I want the temples to be more open so that everyone can go to the temples at any time.

Also, I believe that Buddhist funerals should not be criticized because people can realize important truths through funerals. The responsibility should be with the priest who officiates the service. They have to tell us the truth through various Buddhist services.

Any plans for the future?

I want to tell many people that Buddha is gentle and is always with you as much as possible. I especially want to teach the importance of Buddha statues to many children. Also I want to go see many Buddha statues in the U.S. within the next year.

Rev. Naoyuki Ogi
Rev. Naoyuki Ogi, a 14th generation Buddhist priest of Choshoji Temple in Yamaguchi, Japan, is currently a 2010-2011 residential fellow of Harvard Divinity School.

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