The Niō statues at the Sanmon Gate of the Sōjiji (Yokohama City) , created by Suiundo, were modelled on the former yokozuna Kitanoumi, who passed away in autumn 2015.

The production of the prototype for the Nio statues began in 1968, when Kitanoumi was just 15 years old and had just stepped into the ring for the first time.

Our company president, Yutaka Yamaguchi, recalls those days as follows.

I think that Mr Abe went around to several sumo stables and must have been impressed by Kitanoumi. That's how much he had great muscles!

Around the time the Niou statues were completed, Kitanoumi made his debut in the highest division, and the following year he was promoted to komusubi, and the year after that to ozeki and yokozuna.

The Niō statues at the Sanmon Gate of Sōjiji Temple are 5.45m tall. They are made of Bishu cypress and were made at the Matsudo workshop.

The Buddhist altar of the great yokozuna Kitanoumi was made by Suiundo due to a Buddhist connection through the production of the Nio statues.

Suiundo has produced numerous large cast Buddha statues.
The Buddha statue at Jōren-ji Temple's Tokyo Daibutsu is 8 m tall,the Buddha statue at Daishōji Temple in Sapporo is 8.4 m tall, the statue of Iketsuki Kannon in Nagasaki Prefecture is 18 metres tall, the Buddha statue at Jichi-in Temple in Sakata is 13 m tall, and the statue of Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu at Shiofune Kannonji Temple in Ome City is 10 m tall. With these achievements, it is said that this temple has the most Buddha statues in Japan.

The process of creating a statue begins with making a prototype out of clay, then a plaster prototype, and finally a FRP statue from the plaster prototype. Clay sculptures are highly malleable, but their shape can change due to their weight, so plaster statues are used as prototypes.
Then, enlarged drawings are made based on the prototype, and based on the drawings, plywood and square timber are skilfully combined to create a formwork that looks like a bird's nest. Steel netting is stretched over this, and plaster is applied to create a mould
This mould is divided into sections, transported to a foundry, cast, and assembled on site to create the Great Buddha.
Suiundo's method of creating prototypes for the Great Buddha is patented. We have developed our own method of enlarging prototypes from smaller models to actual size, and have created enlarged prototypes for some of the most famous Buddhist sculptors and carvers of the modern era.

Hōkōji Temple, Soto-shū, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo, Production process of the Rokuya Great Buddha (commonly known as Tama Great Buddha)

1/10 scale clay prototype

Creating FRP prototypes from clay prototypes Creating cross-sectional drawings from FRP prototypes

Making a wooden frame for the base of the statue (full-scale prototype) Making a frame with plywood and wooden rods

Wooden frame for the feet of the statue (lotus position). Steel netting is stretched over this frame for applying plaster (Matsudo workshop).

Completed prototype of the feet (lotus position, zenjōin (dharmachakra mudra)) The size is clear when compared to a person ( at Matsudo workshop)

A prototype of the face is created based on a plaster prototype (full-size prototype). The prototype is carefully carved to accurately reproduce the appearance of the original and to create a beautiful, smooth casting surface (Matsudo workshop).

The finished plaster prototype (casting mould) is dismantled and transported to the foundry. The patented method of manufacturing Great Buddhas has resulted in a dramatic reduction in costs (Matsudo workshop).

Inspection of the cast Buddha head

assembly on site

Completed Rokuya Daibutsu at Houkouji Temple

落慶法要

基壇内

Suiundo has received many Buddhist statues that require repair and restoration, including those that have aged or been damaged over time. Each Buddhist statue requires its own unique repair and restoration, and Suiundo will repair and restoration your precious Buddhist statues using the most appropriate methods while listening to the requests of the temple and the donor.