is for kannon, or the Japanese name for Quan-yin. She is a familiar sight all across Japan, gracing most temples, and in some areas, has statues large enough to be their own landmark. Kyoto actually has a statue of Quan-yin so large that, even though I’ve never seen it up close, I can always spot it from the panoramic views situated across the city.
Quan-yin is known as the Goddess of Compassion, and much like Buddha, is there to help others find their way on the path. I have known of her since my childhood days, when my father collected oriental statues. The bronze statue of Quan-yin remained one of my favorites, and when he was downsizing his collection, it was gifted to me. She now sits on my bookshelf. Seeing her across the country in life-size is a treat I will miss a great deal.
Images hosted on Flickr.
Ariel Hudnall 
I’ve had a small statue similar to this in my yard for over thirty years. Have no idea who the artist meant it to be.
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I have seen these effigies before in various places. I also didn’t know who they represented. 🙂
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Thanks for the ID – she is so beautiful and serene!
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Compassion – that’s lovely. Noelle above used the word I was thinking – serene – so I’ll add gentle to the mix.
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We all need the reminder on occasion to be more compassionate to those around us.
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You know, I’ve seen pictures and figurines of Quan-yin before, and I’m sure I mistook her for the Buddha. Now I know there’s a difference. 🙂
The statue in the first photo is incredible. Is it bronze?
By the way,have you heard of a blogging initiative known as 1000 Voices For Compassion? They write about various angles of the topic of compassion, and their next scheduled “group posting” date is today.
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Very cool. Beautiful pictures as always. =)
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That first photo is spectacular! She reminds me of a version of the Madonna – although instead of the sorrow that I often perceive on the Virgin Mary, Quan-yin has a look of strength and durability. I rather like that 🙂
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She definitely seems popular!
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Love it–her face is so serene.
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Reminds me of an anime called Saiyuki where she shows up as a very meddlesome “Merciful Goddess.” I loved her as that character 😀
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary – Epics from A to Z
MopDog – 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
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Beautiful photos as usual. I didn’t know anything about this goddess.
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She will go on my list so I can find a statue of her when I make my trip 😀
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compassion is an excellent virtue and more people could use it.
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I feel very ignorant, I had never heard of her. Thank you for introducing me and posting such lovely photos.
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
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Thank you. I saw here quite a bit during my short stay in Japan, I know now who she is.
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Like others here, the first thought I had was how serene she looked. I had not heard of Quan-Yin – I’m glad to know her. 🙂
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It’s interesting reading your posts, which I am doing in reverse order now that the challenge is over, just the deep sense of history and tradition that is in Japan. We have that in Australia through our Indigenous Aboriginal culture but you really have to go looking for it. It is not seemingly on every street corner or peering at you from every corner of the city. This is such a rich cultural journey and I wish I could take more of it in but at least I know where to find it. xx Rowena
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