The Process of Flying 26 Buddhist Statues by Drone: Using a 1,500-Year-Old Technique
The Process of Flying 26 Buddhist Statues by Drone: Powered by 1,500 Years of Tradition Buddhist statues emerged around the 1st century in India as a visual embodiment of Buddhist teachings. Here at Tsuchimikado Bussho, we honor the 1500-year history of Japanese Buddhist devotion and aesthetic expression, while giving shape to the Raigo (the descent of Amida Buddha) through a novel approach that blends contemporary technology with artistic vision: the "Drone Buddha." Although the medium of presentation evolves with the times, the core philosophy and compassionate wishes of the Buddha remain unchanged. We fly these Drone Buddhas with the hope that they will spark curiosity and deeply move the hearts of younger generations and those encountering Buddhism for the very first time. Raigo refers to the Pure Land Buddhist belief that Amida Buddha, accompanied by various bodhisattvas, descends from the Western Pure Land on a cloud to welcome the soul of a dying believer. Since the Heian period, this sacred moment has been depicted in countless paintings and sculptures. While master sculptors of the past devised ingenious ways to express the illusion of the Buddha floating in mid-air, Tsuchimikado Bussho has realized this age-old dream using modern technology. Our process begins by 3D-scanning a meticulously hand-carved Buddhist statue. To make it light enough to fly, we hollow out the 3D data and replicate the form using a 3D printer. This replica is then meticulously finished with traditional Japanese lacquer and gold leaf before being integrated with a drone, giving birth to a Buddha that truly soars through the sky. Conveying the image of the Buddha in a way that resonates with the current era—it is this unwavering devotion of the Buddhist sculptor that drives our ongoing challenge. ▶Special Thanks A heartfelt thank you to Ryugan-ji Temple in Kyoto. This drone performance was made possible through their incredible generosity in opening their sacred temple gates to our contemporary artistic vision. We are forever grateful for this beautiful collaboration. Please enjoy watching the Japanese craftsmanship!!!! ▶Contact: [email protected] © 2026 Suigenkyo Ltd. All rights reserved. #process #craftsmanship #kyoto #craftsman #japan #japanese #drone #buddha 【Chapter】 00:00 - Introduction 00:17 - Carving the Upper Body 05:42 - Carving the Lower Body 08:30 - Carving the Arms 09:55 - Assembling the Parts 10:13 - 3D Scanning & Printing 11:53 - Applying the Japanese Lacquer (Urushi) 13:12 - Applying the Gold Leaf (Gilding) 16:29 - Preparing for the Drone Flight 17:04 - The Live Drone Performance
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