Global Film Series—Carving the Divine (Japan)

This documentary offers a rare and intimate look into the life and artistic process of modern-day Busshi - practitioners of a 1400-year lineage of Buddhist woodcarving. The film gives a glimpse into guild culture unlike anything existing today in the West: from the growing pains of a novice apprentice to the entire guild working together as one body to create breathtaking works of art to the monkish practice of the famed Grand Master Saito himself, alone on his quest to "leave nothing but great works behind." Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes. In Japanese with English subtitles.

The Global Film series is a partnership between the NC State University Libraries and NC State Global. This film is made possible by the NC Japan Center. Before the screening, Professor Levi McLaughlin of NC State’s Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies will introduce the film.

Host or Publisher NC State University Libraries