The Great Buddha of Ueno (上野大仏)

Ueno Daibutsu

Stupa (pagoda)

Hidden among the trees of Ueno Park in Tokyo stands one of Japan's most unusual Buddhist monuments: Ueno Daibutsu (上野大仏), the Great Buddha of Ueno. Unlike the famous Great Buddhas of Nara and Kamakura, the Ueno Daibutsu today consists only of its face.

The Ueno Daibutsu was originally erected in 1631 within the grounds of Kan'ei-ji (寛永寺), a Tendai Buddhist temple, as most of what is now Ueno Park once belonged to the temple. Over the centuries, the statue suffered repeated damage from various disasters. Each time, however, it was faithfully restored.

The 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake caused the Buddha's head to fall from the statue. During World War II, the remaining body was requisitioned and melted down as part of a government metal collection program, leaving only the face intact.

Today, a stupa (officially referred to as a "pagoda" on the temple's official website and signage) stands on the former site of the Great Buddha Hall. Enshrined within it as the principal object of worship is a triad consisting of Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha) and two attendant bodhisattvas, which were formerly housed in the old Yakushi Hall.

Bell tower

Next to the site stands the temple's bell tower.