crime

24 temples, shrines in 6 prefectures vandalized by oily liquid

15 Comments

The National Police Agency says that 24 temples and shrines in six prefectures have recently suffered from vandalism in which an oil-like substance was splattered onto walls.

In many cases, the targets were UNESCO World Heritage sites and national treasures, Fuji TV reported Saturday.

Nara prefecture had the most cases -- 14. The most recent damage was discovered at Todaiji Temple in Nara on Friday. Staff found in seven locations marks made by a similar oil-like substance that was used at other temples and shrines since February.

Stains were found on the South Gate, on the large wooden guardian statues and on the pedestal of the towering Daibutsu (Great Buddha). All these areas of Todaiji Temple are considered national treasures for their historical and cultural significance.

Other temples in the Kansai region that suffered from similar cases of vandalism include Nijo Castle (Kyoto) and the Tanukidanisan Fudoin Temple, also in Kyoto, at which four different areas of the compound were discovered to have been splattered with an oil-like substance, the NPA said. In Shizuoka, the Mishima Grand Shrine was vandalized.

Three sites in Chiba Prefecture, including Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, were damaged, police said.

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15 Comments
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Very sad, even temples are not safe.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Infuriating. do they think it's the work of the same person/s? I recall a few years ago some nutter was going around vandalising churches and other places of worship in the Kansa region.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Wow! Someone has a very black hobby! It makes me very sad to say it, but it's time big brother cameras were installed in temples and shrines to stop these nutters!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The oil-like substance could be teen spirit.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

The oil-like substance could be teen spirit.

Deodorant?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Japanese government should do more to protect it's cultural treasures. Perhaps Abe needs to set aside funds to protect such places & items. Heard of surveillance cameras & security guards? Can't be asking tourists to come if you can't even protect places & things they would most likely want to see.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The use of the word VANDALISM is an overkill. Oil-like substance was discovered. Doesn't seem like an overt thing. Another INNAPROPRIATE use of scare words.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

The use of the word VANDALISM is an overkill. Oil-like substance was discovered. Doesn't seem like an overt thing. Another INNAPROPRIATE use of scare words.

It is vandalism. What else would you call it? This is not some exaggeration by English news sites, it was all over Japanese TV as well.

Staff found in seven locations marks made by a similar oil-like substance that was used at other temples and shrines since February.

Wish they had done something to prevent or catch the people doing this, if they knew it was going on elsewhere.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Someone has a grudge whether against religion or society. Certainly a very antisocial act. I would suspect teenager or early twenties, only because that is the most common age of this type of crime. However having gotten media attention, the person may increase their activities. Being famous will become as a matter of pride so I would suggest a person with very low self esteem. Meanwhile I hope they catch this person before it becomes worse.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I hope the person(s) who did this are caught & SOON! Utterly despicable behavior, whatever it is they have a problem with this NOT the answer!

Again I hope they are caught soon!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

This was done by Chinese tourists and has been reported on in the Chinese press in HK and China. This article and none of the comments even mention this fact...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Talking about the vandalizing of temples, etc., it was interesting to note that NHK did bring up their own spotty record regarding such matters. Anyone remember those nails hammered into the walls at a well known UNESCO site down in Kyoto?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That should read "did not"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Some kind of accelerant?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

USGrant, China assertion links?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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