A golden Buddha statue on loan to the Tokyo National Museum is believed to be the work of Unkei, a leading sculptor of the Kamakura Period (1192-1333), museum officials said Saturday.
Unkei, a favorite sculptor among warriors of that period, is known for his realistic and dynamic renditions of Buddhist figures.
The seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai Buddha, decorated in gold foil, is 66.1 cm tall and made of Japanese cypress.
After an X-ray examination, the figure was found to contain several items, including a crystal object composed of five shapes representing the elements believed in Buddhism to make up the universe, the officials said.
Besides the items, the figure has other features commonly seen in Unkei's works, such as the way the Buddha's hair is curved.
The statue, owned by an unnamed private collector, is believed to have been made in the late 12th century.
The statue will be exhibited at the museum in the Ueno area from April 6 to June 30.