A CARVED WOOD SCULPTURE OF AMIDA NYORAI (AMITABHA), KAMAKURA PERIOD
Lot 161 - JPN1225

Japan, 13^th century, Kamakura period (1185-1333)

Carved and assembled from cypress wood in yosegi-zukuri technique and modeled as the Amitabha Buddha standing, his right arm raised and the left slightly lowered, wearing a monastic robe opening at the chest and cascading in voluminous folds, decorated in gilt with brocade patterns, much of the original decoration to the robes still preserved in various places. His face with a serene expression, downcast eyes painted and inlaid in behind crystal, circular byakugo (urna), and the hair arranged in small spiral curls (rahotsu) covering the ushnisha centered to the front by a crystal inlay.

HEIGHT 39.5 cm (excl. stand), 46.2 cm (incl. stand)

With a modern presentation stand.

Provenance: From an old Canadian private collection in Montreal. Remnants of an old paper label to the back.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age. Extensive wear to the gilt decoration, expected minor age cracks, tiny chips, few losses, flaking. Restorations to the hands, feet, and part of the robe reattached with remnants of adhesive, all as is to be expected from this type of figure. Some insect activity throughout and the crystal byakugo lost.

The present sculpture represents Amitabha, known in Japanese as Amida Nyorai, Buddha of Infinite Light. The Pure Land (Jodo) tradition in Japan emphasizes the salvific powers of Amida; incantation of the Buddha’s name can invite divine intercession and devotion in life can insure rebirth in Amida’s Western Paradise. By the early eleventh century, it was increasingly believed that only the compassion of Amida could override the cycle of rise, decline and fall – the concept of mappo, meaning the end of the Law that would devolve into ten millennia of moral degradation and strife. By Japanese calculation, this would coincide with the year 1052. Devotees among the upper classes commissioned sculptures and paintings showing the arrival of Amida and attendants to welcome the spirits of the dying. Given its scale, it is likely that the figure here graced a private altar.

The figure exudes an elegant serenity characteristic of the sculptural treatments of the 13th century. Amida’s divinity is emphasized by gentle idealization. The figure is slender and delicate with robes carved in rhythmic folds.

Auction comparison:
Compare a closely related wood sculpture of Amida, dated to the Kamakura period, 13^th century, 34 cm tall, at Christie’s, Japanese and Korean Art, 21 March 2023, New York, lot 5 (sold for 30,240 USD).