The Asuka period (538 - 710) marks the time of the official introduction of Buddhism to Japan, as written in the Nihon Shoki, one of Japan’s oldest and most important historical documents. As such, it comes to no surprise that the focus of sculpturing drastically shifted to depictions of these newly introduced deities as temples were built and sects were founded. The majority of these sculptures were made by carving wood.
By the Heian period (794 - 1185), Buddhism had spread to every part of Japan and sculptures were made with distinctive regional features. Furthermore, Buddhist deities were no longer the only ones who were given a shape, and in particular, Shintō deities were began to be created. Apart from camphor trees, some of the preferred materials for sculpturing included Japanese cypress and nutmeg trees.

The most representative work of sculpturing art from the Edo Period is the famous Tōshō-gū Shrine in Nikkō. It was built on the orders of the Japan’s third Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu and it is decorated with over 5,000 different sculptures. About 508 of them can be found on the magnificent gate called Yōmeimon, where dragons, sages, and various animals from different folk tales and myths tell their stories – the detailed coloring techniques of the era are represented beautifully as well.

With the country’s opening to the West with the beginning of the Meiji period, Japanese artists began incorporating a variety of new techniques, materials, and styles. Today, all kind of things are made into sculptures - not just metal, plastic, or stainless steel but also unique materials such as bananas or pencil lead. Japanese sculpturing evolves with almost every passing day, while never forsaking traditional aesthetics and methods entirely.
The number of not only Japanese tourists, but also international visitors to Kanagawa Prefecture’s Hakone Open-Air Museum continues to increase every year. In a unique outdoor exhibition, the museum showcases a large number of different sculptures and installations so interesting, that one day is hardly enough to fully experience the exhibition. Many of them were designed with an interactive purpose in mind, encouraging both children and kids at heart to climb them and play to their heart’s desire.

In recent years, art festivals have been held in increased numbers all over Japan, some of them specifically showcasing local artists and works. Apart from urban areas, many a festival is sprawled over vast green fields and surrounded by lush nature, or sometimes directly beside the sea. These unique locations offer a whole new perspective on the harmony between modern society and the environment.
Modern technology hasn’t only brought forth various new materials to be used but also the development of new processing methods. This, of course, is also reflected in the art of sculpturing and various multi-dimensional works and performances that do not limit themselves to classic standards or boundaries can be enjoyed in various locations.