Key Facts
• The wooden Bishamonten statue by Kōun Takamura is on display in Joetsu City.
• Exhibition runs until September 15, 2025, at the Kasugayama Castle Story Museum.
• This is the second public display since 2019, marking a six-year gap.
• The statue, 41 cm tall, depicts Bishamonten holding a spear with an armored, fierce expression.
• The display coincides with the 100th Kenshin Festival on August 23–24, 2025.
• Admission is free; viewing hours are 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, extended to 8:30 PM on August 23.
• The original bronze Bishamonten statue, revered by Uesugi Kenshin, was damaged in an 1849 fire.
• Kōun Takamura created the wooden replica in 1930, incorporating fragments of the original.
• The statue is owned by the Kasuga District Neighborhood Association and managed by the Bishamonten Support Association.
• Visitors can also view panels detailing the history of the Kenshin Festival.
Summary
The wooden Bishamonten statue, crafted by renowned sculptor Kōun Takamura, is being publicly displayed for the first time in six years at the Kasugayama Castle Story Museum in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. The exhibition, running until September 15, 2025, coincides with the 100th Kenshin Festival on August 23–24. The 41 cm tall statue, depicting Bishamonten in armor with a spear, reflects the deep reverence of Uesugi Kenshin, a local warlord who considered himself an incarnation of the deity. The statue was created in 1930 using fragments of the original bronze statue, which was damaged in an 1849 fire. Visitors can view the statue and learn about the Kenshin Festival’s history through accompanying panels. Admission is free, with extended hours on August 23.
