Buddhist statue returned from S.Korea put on display in southwestern Japan
A special exhibition featuring a Buddhist statue recently returned from South Korea has opened at a museum in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Nagasaki.
The statue, designated by the prefecture as a tangible cultural asset, was stolen in 2012 from Kannonji Temple on the island of Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture. It was later found in South Korea and returned to the temple on Monday.
On Friday, the special viewing of the artifact began at Tsushima Museum, which has taken custody of the statue due to security concerns.
About 20 people were waiting to see the exhibition when the museum opened at 9:30 a.m. They admired the statue from various angles and took pictures.
Murase Tatsuma heads a group that supports Kannonji Temple. He said he wonders if the Buddhist statue that had been missing for 13 years has found peace of mind in its new location.
He expressed hope that this will be an opportunity for Japan and South Korea to develop closer ties.
A woman in her 60s from the island said she thought the statue would never return. She said she came on the opening day because she wanted to see it as soon as possible.
The special exhibition runs through June 15.
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