Japanese police are urgently investigating the theft of 11 wooden Buddha statues from Tosenji Temple in Gifu Prefecture. The chief priest hopes the statues will be returned soon.
On 6 July 2026, NHK reported that Japanese police have launched an investigation into the theft of 11 wooden Buddha statues from Tosenji Temple in Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture, in central Japan. The incident came to light after the temple's chief priest reported it to police at about 07:00 on Saturday, upon discovering that the statues inside the temple's main hall were missing.
Authorities stated that the stolen wooden Buddha statues range in height from 15 to 25 centimeters, totaling 11 pieces. Among them is a statue of Jizo Bosatsu, a bodhisattva whom the Japanese believe protects people, especially children and travelers, and guides humans away from wrongdoing. Police believe the thieves covertly entered the temple to commit the theft and took all the statues from the main hall.
The chief priest revealed that the monks’ quarters are about 50 meters from the temple and that he regularly oversees the temple. Each night, he performs offerings before locking the main hall’s doors. He added that the last inspection on 28 June confirmed all statues were still intact, and his greatest wish now is for all 11 statues to be promptly returned to the temple.
Source: NHK