Revered Buddhist Statues Return To Kyoto Temple After 7-Decade Absence

KYOTO, JAPAN - JANUARY 07: The Chugan Engetsu Zazo and Bishamonten Ritsuzo statues unveiled at the Kenninji temple on January 7, 2015 in Kyoto, Japan. Two statues dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, one of which is reputed to hold the ashes of Buddha, have returned to Kyoto's oldest Zen temple after a 70-year hiatus. The Bishamonten Ritsuzo was discovered inside the Chugan Engetsu Zazo, which had been designated by the government as an important cultural property. The crystal ball in the Bishamonten Ritsuzo's left hand is said to encase some of Buddha's ashes brought back to Japan by the Tendai sect's founder, Saicho. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)