Vandals threw gray paint on the renowned Sanjusangendo Buddhist hall in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto.
The Buddhist temple's Kitamon gate was built during the Edo period (1603-1867). The Todaimon gate was built in 1961.
Neither gate is a cultural property but the hall is a national treasure which houses Buddhist statues that are also designated national treasures or important cultural properties.
The vandalism... a very very poor example of tagging or the sometimes quite artful graffiti that sometimes pops up, was discovered by a temple worker.
Disrespect towards religion is not by any means unique to Japan. In Bangladesh there are street clashes because of an 'offensive cartoon' that pokes fun at Mohammed.
In Japan, however, no one will get excited about religion. There are no zealots for the countries religions, home grown, imported or otherwise.
Are you fervent about your religious beliefs?
See also -
Buddha needed help to take a Bath.
Buddha unable to fend for himself.
Mohammed Needs Knuckleheads to Defend Him
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