The Bodhisattva Kannon

観音菩薩立像

At a glance — Sculpture · Edo period, 17th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category: Sculpture
Period: Edo period, 17th century
Date: 1601–1700
Dimensions: 41.8
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-58432

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Same period: Edo sculpture →
At this museum: All 1632 works here →

The government of Edo-period Japan (1603–1868) outlawed Christianity. To escape persecution, Christians practiced their faith in secret and venerated the Virgin Mary through figures of bodhisattva Kannon. This particular figure belonged to Kichizō, the leader of the Hidden Christians in Urakami Village, Nagasaki.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財), Government of Japan
Catalogue ID: cobas-58432 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-58432
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: “The Bodhisattva Kannon（観音菩薩立像）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-58432. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/the-bodhisattva-kannon/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.

Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)

Genre: Sculpture
Category: Historical materials:Christian-related materials
Material: White porcelain
Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
Size: 41.8
員数: 1軀
分類: 彫刻
品質形状: 白磁製
種別: 歴史資料:キリシタン関係遺品
法量: 縦41.8

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Important Cultural Property