Great Buddha at the Kotoku-in Temple in Kamakura, an 11.4 meter (37 ft), 121 ton copper statue constructed in 1252 at the height of Hojo clan power. The Hojo were the ruling family and major power brokers during the Kamakura shogunate period of Japanese history. While not as big as the Buddha in Todaiji Temple, Nara, that inspired it, the Kamakura Great Buddha is considered superior in terms of artistry.

Tags: buddha, japan, culture, peace, religion, kamakura, soulbank, kotoku, ku, statue, monumenet