Artwork Page for Welcoming Descent of Amida (Amida Raigō)

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Welcoming Descent of Amida (Amida Raigō)

阿弥陀二十五菩薩来迎図

1300–1333

Japan, Kamakura period

(1185–1333)
Medium
hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on silk
Measurements
Painting: 171.8 x 84.5 cm (67 5/8 x 33 1/4 in.); Mounted: 269.1 x 113.3 cm (105 15/16 x 44 5/8 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1953.123
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

In the Pure Land school of Buddhism, Amida Buddha is the focus of worship. Pictured here is the raigō, or the moment when Amida descends with his retinue to welcome a dying person into his Pure Land, called the Western Paradise. Once there, a person can concentrate on becoming enlightened. Images like this one could be placed before a person on their deathbed to help them stay faithful and motivated to attain birth in the Pure Land.
A hanging scroll depicts Amida Buddha, the central deity surrounded by other figures half his size, all supported by swirling clouds and colored entirely in gold except for black hair and specks of color. Amida Buddha wears a robe and holds his right hand up, pointer finger and thumb pressed together, with a blue halo behind his head. The surrounding figures hold various objects, most playing instruments, and gaze down toward the lower right.

Welcoming Descent of Amida (Amida Raigō)

1300–1333

Japan, Kamakura period (1185–1333)

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