Amida Nyorai
Figure
13th century (made)
13th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This serenely beautiful carving of a seated Buddha can be identified as Amida (Amitabha in Sanskrit), by the tightly interlocking legs, the eyes almost closed in meditation, and the hands raised in the gesture for expounding the Buddhist law. It is one of the best examples of classic Buddhist art in the Museum's collection. The Buddhist religion was introduced to Japan during the 6th century. The earliest Buddhist images were mostly made of bronze, clay or lacquer, but from the late 8th century carved wood became the most common medium. In the later Heian period (898-1185), a number of religious sects came into being that emphasised personal salvation through faith in Amida, the form of Buddha who rules the Pure Land of the Western Paradise.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Amida Nyorai |
| Materials and techniques | Carved, lacquered and gilded cypress wood |
| Brief description | Figure of seated Buddha, Amida Nyorai, of carved and lacquered wood, from the Kamakura period, Japan, 13th century. |
| Physical description | A seated Buddha figure, of cypress wood, carved, lacquered and gilded. It is identified as Amida, a form of the Buddha who rules the Pure Land of the Western Paradise, by the tightly interlocking legs, the eyes almost closed in meditation and both hands raised in the Vitarka Mudra, the gesture for discussion. The sculpture is of cypress wood which was lacquered and then gilded on the chest and face. There is evidence of detail painting on the robes. On the underside of the sculpture is a brief inscription of a name. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Gallery label | In the early 13th century, images of Amida Buddha proliferated as the Pure Land sect of Buddhism spread throughout Japan. The easily understandable doctrine taught that anyone, regardless of social status, could achieve rebirth in the Pure Land. This serene figure is seated with his hands in the gesture of expounding the Buddhist law.
(04/11/2015) |
| Credit line | Given by Sir John and Lady Figgess |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This serenely beautiful carving of a seated Buddha can be identified as Amida (Amitabha in Sanskrit), by the tightly interlocking legs, the eyes almost closed in meditation, and the hands raised in the gesture for expounding the Buddhist law. It is one of the best examples of classic Buddhist art in the Museum's collection. The Buddhist religion was introduced to Japan during the 6th century. The earliest Buddhist images were mostly made of bronze, clay or lacquer, but from the late 8th century carved wood became the most common medium. In the later Heian period (898-1185), a number of religious sects came into being that emphasised personal salvation through faith in Amida, the form of Buddha who rules the Pure Land of the Western Paradise. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.5-1972 |
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| Record created | November 11, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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