The Buddha of Molinaseca

Since 2009 Molinaseca maintains a twinning relationship with two villages of the Japanese Way of the 88 Temples of Shikoku which are Itazu and Ainancho. The KANNON carving in a living tree, colloquially known as the Buddha of Molinaseca, is located in the old Hermitage of San Roque, now a pilgrims' hostel. This sculpture made in a living walnut tree is a female representation of Buddha, known among the Japanese as Kannos, whose symbolic meaning is linked to compassion. It was made by the Japanese artist Fumiaki Ogita who mastered a technique called "Ikiki jizo", which can be translated as Buddha in living wood. Master Ogita dedicated four months to the realization of the carving. It was inaugurated on 15/07/2014. It is the only living tree carving in the region of El Bierzo.