The Hyōgo Daibutsu was dismantled under the Ordinance on the Collection of Metals issued as part of Japanese war efforts during WWII.
To view a pre-war Japanese map of Kobe advertising the Hyōgo Daibutsu as a local landmark, visit here: tinyurl.com/2uwv2dhv
#buddhasinthewest
To view a pre-war Japanese map of Kobe advertising the Hyōgo Daibutsu as a local landmark, visit here: tinyurl.com/2uwv2dhv
#buddhasinthewest
September 30, 2026 at 5:50 PM
The Hyōgo Daibutsu was dismantled under the Ordinance on the Collection of Metals issued as part of Japanese war efforts during WWII.
To view a pre-war Japanese map of Kobe advertising the Hyōgo Daibutsu as a local landmark, visit here: tinyurl.com/2uwv2dhv
#buddhasinthewest
To view a pre-war Japanese map of Kobe advertising the Hyōgo Daibutsu as a local landmark, visit here: tinyurl.com/2uwv2dhv
#buddhasinthewest
The icon's three visible heads, beard, and tall headpiece suggests the original image may have been the deity Brahma (Bonten in Japanese) wearing a crown.
For more on 18th century British travel writing, see Margaret Hunt's "Racism, Imperialism, and the Traveler's Gaze" (1993).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on 18th century British travel writing, see Margaret Hunt's "Racism, Imperialism, and the Traveler's Gaze" (1993).
#buddhasinthewest
September 28, 2026 at 4:32 PM
The icon's three visible heads, beard, and tall headpiece suggests the original image may have been the deity Brahma (Bonten in Japanese) wearing a crown.
For more on 18th century British travel writing, see Margaret Hunt's "Racism, Imperialism, and the Traveler's Gaze" (1993).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on 18th century British travel writing, see Margaret Hunt's "Racism, Imperialism, and the Traveler's Gaze" (1993).
#buddhasinthewest
Joanne Bernardi has curated a wonderful collection of Japanese postcards at the University of Rochester, available to be viewed here: tinyurl.com/57fae58f
📜
#Buddhasinthewest
📜
#Buddhasinthewest
December 8, 2024 at 5:34 PM
Joanne Bernardi has curated a wonderful collection of Japanese postcards at the University of Rochester, available to be viewed here: tinyurl.com/57fae58f
📜
#Buddhasinthewest
📜
#Buddhasinthewest
Our first 100 object posts are archived here:
tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
You can also sort available posts on Bluesky using #Buddhasinthewest
tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
You can also sort available posts on Bluesky using #Buddhasinthewest
May 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Our first 100 object posts are archived here:
tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
You can also sort available posts on Bluesky using #Buddhasinthewest
tinyurl.com/4kmcwp87
You can also sort available posts on Bluesky using #Buddhasinthewest
Please share with anyone who might be interested!
"Victorian Virtual Travel: Visions of Buddhism" Display, San Diego Central Library, 4th Floor, November 2024
#Buddhasinthewest
"Victorian Virtual Travel: Visions of Buddhism" Display, San Diego Central Library, 4th Floor, November 2024
#Buddhasinthewest
November 9, 2024 at 6:55 PM
Please share with anyone who might be interested!
"Victorian Virtual Travel: Visions of Buddhism" Display, San Diego Central Library, 4th Floor, November 2024
#Buddhasinthewest
"Victorian Virtual Travel: Visions of Buddhism" Display, San Diego Central Library, 4th Floor, November 2024
#Buddhasinthewest
✨ Celebrating our first 100 Objects 100 Stories ✨
Buddhas in the West is a public scholarship project exploring the historical circulation and representation of Buddhist imagery around the globe. 🌎
Thank you for your support! 🙏🏼
#Buddhasinthewest
Buddhas in the West is a public scholarship project exploring the historical circulation and representation of Buddhist imagery around the globe. 🌎
Thank you for your support! 🙏🏼
#Buddhasinthewest
May 20, 2025 at 5:37 PM
✨ Celebrating our first 100 Objects 100 Stories ✨
Buddhas in the West is a public scholarship project exploring the historical circulation and representation of Buddhist imagery around the globe. 🌎
Thank you for your support! 🙏🏼
#Buddhasinthewest
Buddhas in the West is a public scholarship project exploring the historical circulation and representation of Buddhist imagery around the globe. 🌎
Thank you for your support! 🙏🏼
#Buddhasinthewest
Please share with anyone who might be interested! "Victorian Virtual Travel: Visions of Buddhism" Display, San Diego Central Library, 4th Floor, November 2024
#Buddhasinthewest
#Buddhasinthewest
November 16, 2024 at 9:33 PM
Please share with anyone who might be interested! "Victorian Virtual Travel: Visions of Buddhism" Display, San Diego Central Library, 4th Floor, November 2024
#Buddhasinthewest
#Buddhasinthewest
According to lore, the icon became immovable at port and was subsequently purchased by Tokujo Temple, where it remains enshrined today. #徳常院
To view an intact 1868 Beato souvenir album containing this photo, see the Hood Museum at Dartmouth: tinyurl.com/mpzhrb5d
#buddhasinthewest
To view an intact 1868 Beato souvenir album containing this photo, see the Hood Museum at Dartmouth: tinyurl.com/mpzhrb5d
#buddhasinthewest
September 12, 2025 at 2:44 PM
According to lore, the icon became immovable at port and was subsequently purchased by Tokujo Temple, where it remains enshrined today. #徳常院
To view an intact 1868 Beato souvenir album containing this photo, see the Hood Museum at Dartmouth: tinyurl.com/mpzhrb5d
#buddhasinthewest
To view an intact 1868 Beato souvenir album containing this photo, see the Hood Museum at Dartmouth: tinyurl.com/mpzhrb5d
#buddhasinthewest
Noel toured Europe with his film accompanied by the Tibetan monks, but the controversy caused him to send the monks home before touring the United States.
Noel’s silent film, Epic of Everest, is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3df4axfn
#Buddhasinthewest
Noel’s silent film, Epic of Everest, is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3df4axfn
#Buddhasinthewest
January 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Noel toured Europe with his film accompanied by the Tibetan monks, but the controversy caused him to send the monks home before touring the United States.
Noel’s silent film, Epic of Everest, is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3df4axfn
#Buddhasinthewest
Noel’s silent film, Epic of Everest, is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3df4axfn
#Buddhasinthewest
The monumental bronze buddha emerging from the treetops further adds to this heightened vision of Japan. The Nagasaki University Library holds another photo of the Kamakura Daibutsu also showing the splash of flowering trees, see here: tinyurl.com/yc86cxss
#Buddhasinthewest
#Buddhasinthewest
April 17, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The monumental bronze buddha emerging from the treetops further adds to this heightened vision of Japan. The Nagasaki University Library holds another photo of the Kamakura Daibutsu also showing the splash of flowering trees, see here: tinyurl.com/yc86cxss
#Buddhasinthewest
#Buddhasinthewest
A November 2021 Sotheby's sale of the original photo was inscribed: "Lama priests by F. Kapp./ Lama Sherb, Gyatso (front middle)."
For more on the history of photography in Darjeeling, see Clare Harris' Photography in Tiber (2016).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on the history of photography in Darjeeling, see Clare Harris' Photography in Tiber (2016).
#buddhasinthewest
September 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A November 2021 Sotheby's sale of the original photo was inscribed: "Lama priests by F. Kapp./ Lama Sherb, Gyatso (front middle)."
For more on the history of photography in Darjeeling, see Clare Harris' Photography in Tiber (2016).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on the history of photography in Darjeeling, see Clare Harris' Photography in Tiber (2016).
#buddhasinthewest
The distinctive building in the back is a seven-tiered pyatthat, characteristic of sacred Burmese architecture.
For more of Klier's photography, see the digitized collection at the National Gallery Singapore, viewable here: tinyurl.com/mtd9y72x
#buddhasinthewest
For more of Klier's photography, see the digitized collection at the National Gallery Singapore, viewable here: tinyurl.com/mtd9y72x
#buddhasinthewest
September 17, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The distinctive building in the back is a seven-tiered pyatthat, characteristic of sacred Burmese architecture.
For more of Klier's photography, see the digitized collection at the National Gallery Singapore, viewable here: tinyurl.com/mtd9y72x
#buddhasinthewest
For more of Klier's photography, see the digitized collection at the National Gallery Singapore, viewable here: tinyurl.com/mtd9y72x
#buddhasinthewest
Buddhist statues appear elsewhere in the film, but as one reviewer in 1929 describes, they are among "the appurtenances of Oriental diablerie."
The "all talking" version of Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu survives today and is viewable here: tinyurl.com/r5d9h7e5
#buddhasinthewest
The "all talking" version of Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu survives today and is viewable here: tinyurl.com/r5d9h7e5
#buddhasinthewest
September 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Buddhist statues appear elsewhere in the film, but as one reviewer in 1929 describes, they are among "the appurtenances of Oriental diablerie."
The "all talking" version of Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu survives today and is viewable here: tinyurl.com/r5d9h7e5
#buddhasinthewest
The "all talking" version of Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu survives today and is viewable here: tinyurl.com/r5d9h7e5
#buddhasinthewest
[Friday's post will compare slightly older photography at the Daibutsu site.]
For further discussion on the birth of the snapshot and its cultural impact, see Mia Fineman’s “Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography,” viewable here: www.metmuseum.org/essays/kodak....
#Buddhasinthewest
For further discussion on the birth of the snapshot and its cultural impact, see Mia Fineman’s “Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography,” viewable here: www.metmuseum.org/essays/kodak....
#Buddhasinthewest
April 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
[Friday's post will compare slightly older photography at the Daibutsu site.]
For further discussion on the birth of the snapshot and its cultural impact, see Mia Fineman’s “Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography,” viewable here: www.metmuseum.org/essays/kodak....
#Buddhasinthewest
For further discussion on the birth of the snapshot and its cultural impact, see Mia Fineman’s “Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography,” viewable here: www.metmuseum.org/essays/kodak....
#Buddhasinthewest
Dreamland was destroyed in 1911 when a fire ripped through the park.
An extraordinarily detailed map of Coney Island’s three parks c.1906 is available through the Library of Congress (Dreamland's pagoda is in the lower right), viewable here: tinyurl.com/xvdtw8yt
#buddhasinthewest
An extraordinarily detailed map of Coney Island’s three parks c.1906 is available through the Library of Congress (Dreamland's pagoda is in the lower right), viewable here: tinyurl.com/xvdtw8yt
#buddhasinthewest
September 15, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Dreamland was destroyed in 1911 when a fire ripped through the park.
An extraordinarily detailed map of Coney Island’s three parks c.1906 is available through the Library of Congress (Dreamland's pagoda is in the lower right), viewable here: tinyurl.com/xvdtw8yt
#buddhasinthewest
An extraordinarily detailed map of Coney Island’s three parks c.1906 is available through the Library of Congress (Dreamland's pagoda is in the lower right), viewable here: tinyurl.com/xvdtw8yt
#buddhasinthewest
On his return to Vienna in 1870, Burger exhibited his Japanese portfolio to broad public acclaim.
For more on Burger's photographic process, see Tani Akiyoshi & Peter Pantzer's “Wilhelm Burger’s Photographs of Japan,” PhotoResearcher 15 (2011): 40–50.
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on Burger's photographic process, see Tani Akiyoshi & Peter Pantzer's “Wilhelm Burger’s Photographs of Japan,” PhotoResearcher 15 (2011): 40–50.
#Buddhasinthewest
May 2, 2025 at 3:34 PM
On his return to Vienna in 1870, Burger exhibited his Japanese portfolio to broad public acclaim.
For more on Burger's photographic process, see Tani Akiyoshi & Peter Pantzer's “Wilhelm Burger’s Photographs of Japan,” PhotoResearcher 15 (2011): 40–50.
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on Burger's photographic process, see Tani Akiyoshi & Peter Pantzer's “Wilhelm Burger’s Photographs of Japan,” PhotoResearcher 15 (2011): 40–50.
#Buddhasinthewest
These oversized temple statuary, detached from their religious context, became atmospheric props signaling an imagined Asian world to Western audiences.
For further discussion of Asian representation in cinema, see Naomi Greene's From Fu Manchu to Kung Fu Panda (2014).
#Buddhasinthewest
For further discussion of Asian representation in cinema, see Naomi Greene's From Fu Manchu to Kung Fu Panda (2014).
#Buddhasinthewest
March 6, 2026 at 5:07 PM
These oversized temple statuary, detached from their religious context, became atmospheric props signaling an imagined Asian world to Western audiences.
For further discussion of Asian representation in cinema, see Naomi Greene's From Fu Manchu to Kung Fu Panda (2014).
#Buddhasinthewest
For further discussion of Asian representation in cinema, see Naomi Greene's From Fu Manchu to Kung Fu Panda (2014).
#Buddhasinthewest
Once one of the oldest operating studios, a 1991 fire destroyed much of the Bourne & Shepherd archives.
For more on early photography in the Himalayas, see Clare Harris' "Photography in the 'Contact Zone': Identifying
Copresence and Agency in the Studios of Darjeeling" (2017).
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on early photography in the Himalayas, see Clare Harris' "Photography in the 'Contact Zone': Identifying
Copresence and Agency in the Studios of Darjeeling" (2017).
#Buddhasinthewest
April 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Once one of the oldest operating studios, a 1991 fire destroyed much of the Bourne & Shepherd archives.
For more on early photography in the Himalayas, see Clare Harris' "Photography in the 'Contact Zone': Identifying
Copresence and Agency in the Studios of Darjeeling" (2017).
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on early photography in the Himalayas, see Clare Harris' "Photography in the 'Contact Zone': Identifying
Copresence and Agency in the Studios of Darjeeling" (2017).
#Buddhasinthewest
Records reveal the images were made by an artist from Sichuan, Li Guangxiu, who along with several assistants crafted the arhat icons over a period of seven years (1883-1890).
#Buddhasinthewest
#Buddhasinthewest
October 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Records reveal the images were made by an artist from Sichuan, Li Guangxiu, who along with several assistants crafted the arhat icons over a period of seven years (1883-1890).
#Buddhasinthewest
#Buddhasinthewest
While some replicated scenes were decorated with authentic religious imagery, Japan's icon appears to be recreated with wood or plaster.
For more about missionary exhibits, see April Makgoeng's "Visualizing Missions: The Power of the Image in Promoting Foreign Missions" (2021).
#Buddhasinthewest
For more about missionary exhibits, see April Makgoeng's "Visualizing Missions: The Power of the Image in Promoting Foreign Missions" (2021).
#Buddhasinthewest
December 17, 2025 at 2:25 PM
While some replicated scenes were decorated with authentic religious imagery, Japan's icon appears to be recreated with wood or plaster.
For more about missionary exhibits, see April Makgoeng's "Visualizing Missions: The Power of the Image in Promoting Foreign Missions" (2021).
#Buddhasinthewest
For more about missionary exhibits, see April Makgoeng's "Visualizing Missions: The Power of the Image in Promoting Foreign Missions" (2021).
#Buddhasinthewest
Despite the unease of Tibetan officials, "real" Tibetan monks were allowed to tour Europe for the 1924 premier of the Epic of Everest, performing music as part of a live prologue to the film.
For more on these monks, see Peter Hansen's "The Dancing Lamas of Everest" (1996).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on these monks, see Peter Hansen's "The Dancing Lamas of Everest" (1996).
#buddhasinthewest
March 2, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Despite the unease of Tibetan officials, "real" Tibetan monks were allowed to tour Europe for the 1924 premier of the Epic of Everest, performing music as part of a live prologue to the film.
For more on these monks, see Peter Hansen's "The Dancing Lamas of Everest" (1996).
#buddhasinthewest
For more on these monks, see Peter Hansen's "The Dancing Lamas of Everest" (1996).
#buddhasinthewest
For a brief history of this site, see Michelle Nicholl Lynch's "The Pagoda," The Historical Review of Berks County (1995), viewable here: berkshistory.org/article/the-...
#buddhasinthewest
#buddhasinthewest
November 25, 2025 at 4:34 PM
For a brief history of this site, see Michelle Nicholl Lynch's "The Pagoda," The Historical Review of Berks County (1995), viewable here: berkshistory.org/article/the-...
#buddhasinthewest
#buddhasinthewest
Heinz Pier was destroyed by a hurricane in 1944, the location of the Heinz Pier "Sage" remains unknown.
After Heinz’s death in 1919, much of his art collection was sold at auction, including several statues of Guanyin. The auction catalogue is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3tk4zn4h.
#Buddhasinthewest
After Heinz’s death in 1919, much of his art collection was sold at auction, including several statues of Guanyin. The auction catalogue is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3tk4zn4h.
#Buddhasinthewest
April 6, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Heinz Pier was destroyed by a hurricane in 1944, the location of the Heinz Pier "Sage" remains unknown.
After Heinz’s death in 1919, much of his art collection was sold at auction, including several statues of Guanyin. The auction catalogue is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3tk4zn4h.
#Buddhasinthewest
After Heinz’s death in 1919, much of his art collection was sold at auction, including several statues of Guanyin. The auction catalogue is viewable here: tinyurl.com/3tk4zn4h.
#Buddhasinthewest
The octagonal brick pagoda, built in 1600 and rising more than 60 meters, was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.
For more on the visual importance of the Whampoa Pagoda, see Peter Perdue’s essay on the Canton System for MIT’s Visualizing Culture: tinyurl.com/46xrpkxf.
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on the visual importance of the Whampoa Pagoda, see Peter Perdue’s essay on the Canton System for MIT’s Visualizing Culture: tinyurl.com/46xrpkxf.
#Buddhasinthewest
March 27, 2026 at 3:48 PM
The octagonal brick pagoda, built in 1600 and rising more than 60 meters, was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.
For more on the visual importance of the Whampoa Pagoda, see Peter Perdue’s essay on the Canton System for MIT’s Visualizing Culture: tinyurl.com/46xrpkxf.
#Buddhasinthewest
For more on the visual importance of the Whampoa Pagoda, see Peter Perdue’s essay on the Canton System for MIT’s Visualizing Culture: tinyurl.com/46xrpkxf.
#Buddhasinthewest
The moving Buddha image was used by Nipponophone in other business related ephemera
For example, it can be seen printed on the company's paper record sleeves; one viewable here through the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia: tinyurl.com/4vk8f9sa
#buddhasinthewest
For example, it can be seen printed on the company's paper record sleeves; one viewable here through the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia: tinyurl.com/4vk8f9sa
#buddhasinthewest
September 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The moving Buddha image was used by Nipponophone in other business related ephemera
For example, it can be seen printed on the company's paper record sleeves; one viewable here through the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia: tinyurl.com/4vk8f9sa
#buddhasinthewest
For example, it can be seen printed on the company's paper record sleeves; one viewable here through the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia: tinyurl.com/4vk8f9sa
#buddhasinthewest