Goddess of Mercy Becoming a Menace

Goddess Kannon, also known as Kanzeon or Kwannon, is one of the most revered and beloved figures in Japanese Buddhism. She embodies the essence of compassion and mercy, and her presence has shaped the spiritual, cultural, and artistic landscape of Japan for centuries. Kannon's origins can be traced back to India, where she was initially a male bodhisattva known as Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara was revered as the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and over time, this deity made its way to China through the spread of Buddhism. During its journey to China, Avalokiteshvara underwent a significant transformation. In China, this bodhisattva was often depicted as female, possibly due to the feminine associations with compassion and nurturing. This transformation gave rise to the figure of Kannon, a compassionate and merciful goddess (called Guanyin in China).

Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century, and with it came the worship of Kannon. Over time, Kannon's popularity soared in Japan, and she became one of the central figures in Japanese Buddhism. Her image was incorporated into various Buddhist schools and sects. One of the distinctive features of Kannon worship in Japan is her ability to manifest in numerous forms to aid those in need. Kannon can appear as a multi-armed deity to help more beings simultaneously or as a serene figure, often depicted holding a willow branch and a vase of pure water to symbolize her cleansing and purifying nature.

During the economic boom of the "bubble era," many giant statues of Kannon were constructed across Japan. Unlike historical statues of Kannon, like those in Sanjusangendo in Kyoto, the modern Kannon statues were made of steel and concrete. Also unlike historical statues, there was a great deal of brinksmanship to see who could build the largest. These statues also required regular maintenance. Some statues, like the 100-meter-tall Kannon on Awaji island were so tall they required collision lights to warn low flying aircraft of their presence. Many also served as de facto lightning rods due to their extreme height.

As the bubble burst and Japan's population rapidly ages, the tourism appeal of these towering statues disappeared. The cash flow of visitors disappeared, but the costs of maintenance and upkeep did not. A 62-meter high statue of Kannon in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, required $1.5 million USD for repainting in 2021 which was collected through donations. A 56-meter high Kannon located in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture underwent $1.15 million in maintenance in 2018 and will soon require more. The 100-meter tall Kannon on Awaji went into receivership in 2020, and the national government paid $6.8 million to demolish it in 2022. Traditional bronze and stone statues, like the Great Buddhas of Kamakura and Todaiji, require far less maintenance and can last for thousands of years. The bubble-era Kannon statues, however, require regular upkeep. Maintenance which in many cases is not coming because the organizations which built them have gone bankrupt or ceased to exist as future generations have not been there to take them over. It seems almost certain that more will be demolished as they age out and become at risk of collapse. There are over 500 Buddhist statues across Japan, and 15 over 40 meters tall. Ironically, time and economics are showing no mercy to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy.