11 historic Buddha statues stolen from Japanese temple in Gifu

A Buddhist temple in Gifu Prefecture has reported the theft of 11 valuable Buddha statues, with police investigating the unusual burglary that targeted religious statues rather than cash or valuables.

The chief priest of Tosho-ji temple in Yamagata city reported the theft on Saturday, saying the statues had disappeared from the main hall. Police confirmed that a 25-centimetre wooden Jizo Bosatsu statue and ten 15-centimetre Juo statues were stolen.

The priest said the statues were still present when he checked on June 28. The temple remains unlocked during the day to allow worshippers to enter.

Police are treating the case as burglary and reviewing CCTV footage from the area.

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓