The original statue is hidden, while a copy of it is shown to the public every six years for a few weeks, during an event called ‘Zenkoji Gokaicho’ (善光寺御開帳). I was lucky to be in town for this occasion in 2015, and this photo depicts the atmosphere on the temple premises on the day of my visit.

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano was founded in the 7th century and stores the first Buddhist statue ever to be brought into Japan. © 2015 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Shot with Mamiya 6 and 50mm f/4 lens on Fuji Neopan Acros 100 b&w film.
Scanned by Carmencita Film Lab.

写真の撮影場所：長野市・善光寺