This image, preserved at Taimadera Temple’s Nakanobō auxiliary temple, had suffered extensive deterioration and fire damage. With its legs weakened, it could no longer stand and was stored lying within a box. The original form and iconography are no longer discernible. Carved from what appears to be zelkova (keyaki), a broad-leaf hardwood, the interior has hollowed with decay, yet the figure still retains considerable weight.

The temple requested that the work be restored so it could once again stand within the hall and serve as an object of veneration. Our aim, therefore, was to stabilize the figure without compromising what remained of its original dignity.

Restoration began with impregnation treatment to prevent further deterioration of the carbonized wood. A new pedestal was made, along with a custom wooden support designed from reversed 3D data of the statue’s leg contours and precision-milled. This minimized contact with fragile surfaces while providing a perfectly fitted support.

Standing once again, the image conveys a striking truth: even stripped of detail, its presence as a Buddha endures.

This restoration was carried out with support from JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP23K18712.