Kanji On The Back Of A Buddha Statue

[Takahashi]

Dear members,

although this is not a nihonto I stumbled upon an interesting iron Buddha statue with Kanji on the back (see picture). As my knowledge of Kanji is rather restricted to a few Kanji, I would be glad for any help on this translation.

Cheers,
Robert T.

 

[Jean]

Makes me think of Kamakura Buddha, though it is a novel which is written on its base.

[Bugyotsuji]

It starts off something like 大鬼神亀元年 Dai Ki Shin Kamemoto Toshi, which confuses me as there was a 元亀　Genki (Motokame) period, 1570-1573, but... or is it Shinki Gan-nen? 神亀　元年 724 AD?

 

perhaps this will get the ball rolling?