A Buddhist temple has realized the power of cartoons to attract young and old Japanese into it's fold.
In Hachioji, a suburb of Tokyo, Japan the Ryohoji Temple has for the past 420 years been hidden amongst the streets quietly being home to a small dedicated Buddhist following.
After being concerned that locals would only show up at the temple's door when there was a death in the family or a commemoration that Chief Priest Shoko Nakazato decided to use anime to become more relevant, particularly to young people.
This month the Temple unveiled its new "moe Buddhist statue,"that combined modern and ancient art.
It began in 2009 when the 46 year old Nakazato displayed a picture of "moe" outside the temple to welcome passers by. Moe is a traditional Japanese slang word often for a young girl, and associated with innocents, love and caring.
Read the full story from Culture Clash Daily
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