National Treasure Usuki Stone Buddhas (Cliff-Carved Buddhas)

These Buddhist figures are carved into rock faces in Usuki City, Oita Prefecture. Believed to have been created between the late Heian and Kamakura periods, they are highly regarded for their scale, number, and exceptional craftsmanship. Details such as who commissioned them and why remain unknown, adding a sense of historical mystery to their appeal.

The stone Buddhas are divided into four groups: Hoki Stone Buddhas Group 1 (Dogasako Stone Buddhas), Hoki Stone Buddhas Group 2, Sannozan Stone Buddhas, and Furuzono Stone Buddhas. Among them, the statue of Dainichi Nyorai at Furuzono, with its narrow eyes and firmly set mouth, is an iconic figure of the Usuki Stone Buddhas. In 1995, the site became the first group of cliff-carved Buddhist figures in Japan to be designated a National Treasure. In 2017, two standing Nio guardian statues at the entrance to the Furuzono group were added to the designation. Today, all 61 cliff-carved Buddhist figures are designated National Treasures.

In summer, lotus flowers bloom in the lotus field at Stone Buddha Park, adding seasonal scenery to a visit to the stone Buddhas. This tranquil setting offers an opportunity to encounter the depth of Japanese Buddhist art while standing before sculptures that have endured for centuries.