Ishiyama Temple in Otsu City, which has connections to Murasaki Shikibu, has completed the restoration work on the Murasaki Shikibu doll, which was raised through crowdfunding, and has been unveiled.
At Ishiyama-dera Temple in Otsu City, where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have formulated the idea for The Tale of Genji, a wooden doll of Murasaki Shikibu is enshrined in the main hall.
However, approximately 70 years have passed since its creation, and the pigments on the surface of the kimono were cracked and the kimono was damaged, so the funds were raised through crowdfunding to repair the kimono.
A ceremony was held at the temple's main hall on the 18th, and after it was reported that over 7.8 million yen had been raised through crowdfunding and other means, the restored doll was unveiled.
The cracks in the doll's face and hands have been repaired by applying a white pigment called ``gofun,'' and she is wearing a newly created Junihito costume in bright purple or pale pink.
Ryuka Washio, head priest of Ishiyama-dera Temple, said, ``I'm really happy that the doll has returned in its beautiful form.I hope people will think of Murasaki Shikibu when they see the doll.''
At Ishiyama-dera Temple, the funds raised through this crowdfunding campaign are also being used to restore an Edo-period hanging scroll, Murasaki Shikibuzu, which is scheduled to be completed in November this year.