Welcoming Descent of Amida, the Buddha of Limitless Light, with Bodhisattvas Kannon and Seishi

13th century

Not on view

This embroidered scroll shows the Buddha Amida at center with attendant bodhisattvas descending to the earth on clouds to greet a person at the time of death. Kannon, at lower right, extends a small lotus pedestal, upon which the dead will travel to Amida’s Western Pure Land, a place free of suffering and pain. These hopeful images, whose makers often incorporated their own hair into the embroidery, were used in widely practiced deathbed rituals.

Artwork Details

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刺繍阿弥陀三尊来迎図
Title: Welcoming Descent of Amida, the Buddha of Limitless Light, with Bodhisattvas Kannon and Seishi
Period: Kamakura period (1185–1333)
Date: 13th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Framed panel; embroidered silk and possibly human hair
Dimensions: Image: 39 1/2 x 15 1/4 in. (100.3 x 38.7 cm)
Overall with mounting: 66 7/8 x 20 3/4 in. (169.9 x 52.7 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Embroidered
Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1912
Object Number: 12.37.166
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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