A study on the distribution and rock types of stone statues of Buddha in the northeastern mountain-foot districts of Kyoto City

Abstract

This study focused on the distribution and rock types of wayside stone statues of Buddha in the northeastern mountain-foot districts of Kyoto City to grasp the culture of stone use in Kyoto basin. Investigations were conducted in 15 districts of Sakyo-ku that are adjacent to the mountains. We collected the information on the location and rock types of Buddha statues, as well as the data of magnetic susceptibility by KT-10 (Terraplus). We found over 1900 Buddha statues were celebrated in 360 places that were distributed in whole areas. Buddha statues made of Shirakawa-ishi, a type of white granite quarried from the northeast of Kyoto, were celebrated in 320 places and distributed in over 10% grids when the areas were analyzed by 100m mesh. Among them, 18 grids owned more than 20 statues. Shirakawa-ishi showed a stable magnetic susceptibility from 0.039 to 0.197×10-3 SI. 90 Buddha statues made of other stones such as granodiorite, sandstone, and chart from the adjacent mountains were found in 68 places. The distribution area of Buddha statues made of Shirakawa-ishi has possibly expanded over the 15 distrcts, while one of the boundaries was considered in the Kurama district. To grasp the stone culture of Kyoto, further studies on the styles and construction history of Buddha statues are expected.