After a 13-year odyssey, a 14th-century Buddhist statue, the Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, has returned to its home in Japan’s Nagasaki Prefecture. Stolen from Kannonji Temple on Tsushima Island in 2012, the statue sparked a legal battle between Japan and South Korea over its ownership. Now, it’s back, and a special exhibition at the Tsushima Museum, which began on May 16, 2025, is drawing crowds eager to witness this cultural gem.
The statue, a designated tangible cultural asset of Nagasaki Prefecture, was taken by South Korean thieves and recovered in 2013. However, Buseoksa Temple in South Korea claimed it was looted by Japanese pirates centuries ago, leading to a heated dispute. In 2023, South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of Kannonji Temple, citing its long possession as legal ownership. The statue was finally returned on May 12, 2025, airlifted to Fukuoka and ferried to Tsushima, where temple members and locals celebrated its homecoming.
On the exhibition’s opening day, about 20 visitors lined up at 9:30 a.m., snapping photos and marveling at the statue’s intricate details, like its “gracious facial expression” and historical fabric insert, which reveals its Goryeo-era origins. Murase Tatsuma, leader of a group supporting Kannonji Temple, expressed hope that the statue’s return could foster stronger Japan-South Korea ties. A local woman in her 60s, who feared the statue was lost forever, rushed to see it, calling the moment “unbelievable.”
Housed at the Tsushima Museum for security, the statue will be on display until June 15, 2025. Its return not only resolves a diplomatic friction but also highlights the shared cultural heritage of Japan and Korea, inviting visitors to reflect on history and reconciliation.
FAQs
- Why was the Buddhist statue’s ownership disputed?
The statue, stolen from Kannonji Temple in 2012, was claimed by Buseoksa Temple in South Korea, which argued it was looted by Japanese pirates in the 14th century. South Korea’s Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that Kannonji’s long possession established legal ownership, despite historical looting claims. - How can I visit the statue’s exhibition?
The statue is on display at the Tsushima Museum in Nagasaki Prefecture until June 15, 2025. The museum opened the exhibition on May 16, 2025, and welcomes visitors daily, with enhanced security measures in place.
Sources: NHK World-Japan News, AP News, The Asahi Shimbun
