The Buddha head returned home after missing for a century. Photo: NCHA

Zhang Rong Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel

On the Chinese New Year’s Eve, the missing Buddha head from Tianlongshan Grottoes Cave 8 made its first-in-a-century public appearance on CCTV’s annual gala show.

Tianlongshan Grottoes are Buddhist cave temples near the now Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. Cave 8 is one of the largest and the only identifiable cave of the Sui Dynasty (581-618). In 1924, it was illegally cut off and taken away with other Buddha sculptures that are missing overseas ever since. According to the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), the returned Buddha-head sculpture marks the 100th missing antiques retrieved in 2020.

The successful retrieving process of this Buddha head was supported by Zhang Rong, a Hangzhounese living in Japan, also a well-established collector of curios and antiques. Grew up in Hangzhou, Zhang was influenced by a renowned artist Xu Zhulou and was immersed in Chinese watercolor painting and calligraphy.

Due to his childhood experience, Zhang has developed a huge interest in antique collections. Even when he was working as a doctor, he still squeezed out time in his busy schedule for antiques. It was no surprise that he opened a small antique store later on. After studying and working in Japan, he has established a few antique enterprises in the past 20 years such as Ronghetang, Kansai Art Auction, and Toei International Auction.

On September 1, 2020, the missing Buddha head appeared briefly at Toei International Auction.

In a blink of eyes, Zhang made the decision to buy it and donate it to the country. “It has already caught the collectors’ attention in the market. I was lucky to buy it from the private collector.”

When asked why he decided to donate the Buddha head, Zhang said, “I felt it was the right thing to do. I hope to see the missing cultural relics returning home to where it belongs.”

On December 12, 2020, the Buddha head finally landed in China. After a brief exhibition in Beijing till March 14, it will be returned to the Museum of Tianlongshan Grottoes.