Monk Youzan Miura is the chief Butsuzo sculptor at the Tsuchimikado Buddhist Temple in Kyoto. Butsuzo itself is a 1400-year-old fading Japanese art of carving intricate Buddhist sculptures. Since the art form was first recorded, Kyoto has been the center of Buddhism in Japan, making Monk Miura’s efforts all the more significant since he belongs to a long line of Butsuzo workshops and craftsmanship community. Miura’s work also stands out as he has remained steadfast in his devotion to the craft despite interest in it dwindling down, leaving only a few master Butsuzo carvers behind. This is how Monk Miura’s efforts help to keep the practice and culture alive.
Monk Miura is further playing his part to ensure the Butsuzo community thrives for generations by teaching classes on the technique open to the general public. Aside from perfecting his Butsuzo technique to carve new sculptures, Monk Miura also uses his expertise to conserve older and even ancient Buddhist sculptures in the area and all around Japan. This is why Monk Miura's work is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Decent Work And Economic Growth and Reduced Inequalities.
The Butsuzo technique Monk Miura employs in his workshop is split into two. The first one is Ichimokuzukuri, which uses only one piece of wood. Meanwhile, the second one is Yosegi-zukuri, which uses several pieces of wood to create more intricate sculptures of grander sizes. Following tradition, Monk Miura’s workshop mainly uses cypress trees from the Kiso Region of Japan. These are high-quality lumber that was once almost depleted as they were over-logged to build castles and towns during Japan’s Edo period (1603 - 1867).
Monk Miura would also sometimes create sculptures from sandalwood, camphor and cherry, as they are customary materials for Buddhist sculptures from other parts of the world, such as Nepal and India. Part of what makes Butsuzo unique from other Buddhist sculpture techniques is the five different ways they are finished. These include: wood finish, which leaves the wood exposed; lacquer and foil finish, where sculptures are covered entirely in gold leaf; extremely colourful and light colouring finish; and finally, the Kirikane finish. The Kirikane is an ancient stand-out finishing technique where gold leaves are baked together before being cut into thin strips glued onto a sculpture’s surface in the form of intricate patterns.
Monk Youzan Miura’s dedication to preserving the 1,400-year-old art of Butsuzo carving stands as a testament to traditional craftsmanship's enduring cultural and spiritual significance. As chief sculptor at Tsuchimikado Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, Monk Miura creates intricate new Buddhist sculptures and conserves ancient ones, ensuring the survival of this fading Japanese art form. By teaching classes and passing down the skills of Ichimokuzukuri and Yosegi-zukuri, he fosters a new generation of artists while revitalizing the Butsuzo community. His work, rooted in tradition and innovation, highlights the global importance of cultural preservation.
Find out more about Butsuzo by Monk Youzan Miura and his other initiatives on his website www.miurabutsuzo.com or Instagram @miurabutsuzo.