Amida Raigo

Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha in Sanskrit), one of the most popular Buddha images in Japan, is depicted here descending into this world in order to lead the souls of true believers to his Western Paradise, or Pure Land. His hands form the gestures (“mudras”) associated with reassurance and welcome. He stands on clouds that spiral downward diagonally from left to right, and the trailing cloud tails add a dramatic sense of speed and urgency to his descent, as he compassionately seeks the dying believer below him. His garment and halo are delineated in gold, done in the “kirikane” (cut gold leaf) technique that had become very popular during the Kamakura period. In this method, thin strips of gold are adhered to certain parts of the painting in place of brush strokes, resulting in a surface that is visually exciting and compelling. Amida’s robes are refined and embellished with elaborate patterns, reinforcing the sense of richness and splendor to be found in the paradise that will be the home of those who follow him.

(From “A Handbook of the Collection: Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art,” 1998)