A daimyo at rest

This statue is of Asano Naganori, who was arguably the most famous daimyo of feudal Japan. He was ordered to commit ritual suicide, ostensibly because of an offense to the Shogun. His followers became ronin--leaderless samurai--and avenged his death a year later. They were, in turn, also ordered to commit ritual suicide. This story of honor and loyalty is remembered to this day as the tale of the Forty-Seven Ronin.

The statue is amazingly lifelike--the picture doesn't do it justice. The daimyo sits peacefully, eyes closed, in the lotus position. You can see how the metal of the statue has weathered, but apart from that it looks very lifelike.

This statue is in the courtyard of Sengaku-ji, the temple and burial grounds dedicated to Naganori-sama and to the 47 Ronin. It sits just off a busy street in one of the busiest neighborhoods in Tokyo, but it's a very quiet and serene place. I felt a sense of renewal and relaxation after walking out of the temple grounds.

Another photo tomorrow...