Mahāvairocana Buddhist Art Figurine

Buddhist sculpture · polystone · handfinished by MORITA

Based on the National Treasure Seated Dainichi Nyorai (Mahāvairocana) housed at Enjōji Temple in Ninnikusen, Nara — renowned as the debut masterpiece of the sculptor Unkei. Its slightly backward-leaning posture emphasizes the dignified presence of the Buddha, while the finely carved strands of hair and flowing lines of the robes reveal Unkei's meticulous attention to detail. This refined sculptural beauty has been carefully recreated in a palm-sized form.

A sculptural beauty carried into the present
For more than half a century, MORITA has specialized in fine art and crafts centered on Buddhist statuary. With unique technical expertise and expressive skill, they have succeeded in faithfully capturing the beauty of National Treasure–class Buddhist statues — along with the profound presence shaped over centuries.

Great care is devoted to the creation of each master model, entrusted to highly skilled Buddhist sculptors and modelers. Though these are reproductions, the Isumu Series aspires to a quality that adults can appreciate as true works of Buddhist art. By integrating advanced production technologies, MORITA has made it possible to offer exquisite Buddhist statues at accessible prices — pieces that would otherwise cost several million yen if made entirely by hand.

Born from the desire to bring Buddhist sculpture closer and more attainable, the Isumu Series represents a new expression of ancient beauty.

Craftsmanship devoted to Buddhist statuary
To perfectly recreate the proportions — the thickness of the arms, overall balance, subtle nuances of expression — human craftsmanship is essential. Over roughly ten years, MORITA visited manufacturing sites around the world, ultimately establishing their own workshop by bringing together around twenty specialist artisans from a distinguished figure-making company. Each Isumu piece is produced painstakingly by these craftsmen: assembling individual parts, filling joints with putty, and polishing surfaces to a smooth, refined finish — all without compromise.

The material used is polystone — stone powder mixed with resin — known for its exceptional fidelity, capable of capturing details as fine as a fingerprint. The delicate aging effects and coloration are applied entirely by hand using pigments, gold leaf, and other materials, with artisans painting while referencing photographs of the actual surviving statues.

Among all techniques, painting the eyes — the element that determines the statue's spiritual presence — requires extraordinary skill. Only one artisan within MORITA is qualified to paint them. The subtle emotional expression within the eyes draws viewers into the world of the sculpture.