仏像

• Reading: ぶつぞう
• Romaji: butsuzou
• Kanji breakdown: 仏 (butsu) — Buddha; 像 (zou) — image, statue, figure
• Pronunciation: /bɯ.tsɯ.zoː/

Meaning

Statue of Buddha; Buddhist image. A sculpture or figure representing the Buddha or a Buddhist deity.

A noun referring to sculptures and images of the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and other Buddhist figures. Japan has an extraordinarily rich tradition of Buddhist sculpture spanning over 1,400 years. Famous examples include the Great Buddha (大仏, daibutsu) of Kamakura and Nara. Common collocations include 仏像を彫る (butsuzou wo horu, to carve a Buddhist statue), 仏像鑑賞 (butsuzou kanshou, appreciation of Buddhist statues), and 木造仏像 (mokuzou butsuzou, wooden Buddhist statue).

Examples

1. 奈良の大仏は日本で最も有名な仏像の一つだ。 The Great Buddha of Nara is one of the most famous Buddhist statues in Japan.
2. 古い寺から貴重な仏像が発見された。 A valuable Buddhist statue was discovered in an old temple.
3. 彼は趣味で小さな仏像を彫っている。 He carves small Buddhist statues as a hobby.

Usage Guide

Context: art, religion, tourism, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 仏 (butsu, Buddha) + 像 (zou, image/statue/figure). Literally 'image of Buddha' — a physical representation of Buddhist figures for veneration.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal