Buddhist statues we usually see at temples and museums represent enlightened beings that have transcended their worldly existence and entered the Buddhist pantheon. They stand or are seated on pedestals of lotus flowers symbolic of the Buddhist paradise, and are depicted in poses particular to their ranks and characters, such as Nyorai or Bosatsu (bodhisattva).

There are also, however, statues of Buddhist patriarchs and guardians, which portray human characters and emphasize realism and individuality. Among them, Rakan are the disciples of the historic Buddha who were entrusted by him to remain in the world as role models for ordinary people. Rendered as gaunt, tonsured ascetics, they are expressive of their individual emotions, and are often carved on stones for outdoor display in numbered sets such as 16 or 500.

Shoun Genkei (1648-1710), a sculptor in Edo, made a vow to create 500 life-size wooden Rakan figures. When he achieved his goal after more than 10 years of toil, he built a large temple in 1695 in Honjo, northeast of Fukagawa, in what is now Ojima 4-chome in Koto Ward. The temple, named Gohyaku Rakan-ji Temple, meaning "500 Rakan-ji Temple," had two L-shaped wings sticking out from the main hall, where a total of 536 statues, including those of Shaka Nyorai and bodhisattvas, were placed for public viewing. That amazing array of gold-lacquered statues immediately attracted a constant stream of visitors.