Seated Tathāgata Butsugen‑Bummo (formerly attributed to Maitreya)

wood with lacquer and gilding · Heian period · 9th century · Kanshinji, Osaka

A Buddha called “Maitreya” for a thousand years was reclaimed by a ledger from 883.

Exhibition: Celebrating 1250 Years Since the Birth of the Great Master Kūkai: Kūkai and the Treasures of Shingon Buddhism — Tokyo National Museum · 2026-07-14 – 2026-09-06