kaichou　開帳

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

A ceremony where a Buddhist image not normally on view is unveiled to all worshippers. Normally carried out during a specified period in spring. There are two categories of kaichou : 1 Igaichou 居開帳 refers to the display of a Buddha in the temple where it is normally kept. The curtains of the shrine are opened to reveal the image. A Buddhist image not normally on view to ordinary worshippers is known as *hibutsu 秘仏 (secret Buddha). 2 Degaichou 出開帳 refers to the display of a hibutsu (concealed Buddha) in locations other than the temple building where it is normally kept. Like igaichou this ceremony is carried out during spring. A particularly famous example is the statue known as Sangokudenrai shakazuizou 三国伝来釈迦瑞像 from Kyoto's Saga Seiryouji 嵯峨清涼寺, which, with the exception of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Shikoku, is shown widely throughout Japan.

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