Have you recently misplaced a bas relief statue of Buddha? If so, the one the police at Kitakumamoto Police Station (to be renamed “Chuo Police Station from 10/1, BTW) are in custody of might be yours. It seems someone in Kitasako Town found the wayward Buddha abandoned in an irrigation canal, and with none of the area residents claiming it, the statue was turned over to the police. “It certainly is unusual for a Buddha statue to be turned in to lost and found. We hope this is not a result of a crime,” a police spokesman spoke.
Defining features:
- Standing on lotus flower, wearing look of infinite serenity and compassion;
- 50cm tall, 20cm wide;
- Engraved with the date 寛延三年四月十九日, or April 19, 1750 based on the Gregorian calendar;
- Contains such characters as “myo” (「妙」, wondrous) and “ei” (「榮」, respect).
If this Buddha looks familiar to you, the police request you contact them. If no claimant comes forward, the statue will be put up for auction, and if no bids are received, it will be disposed of. I’ll see if I can find more info about the possible auction for our bas relief Buddha statue collectors out there.
Below is a photo of the statue (left) and an illustration of what happens to one who steals a Buddha statue (right). - William