The carved wood figure modelled as Amitabha Buddha seated in vajrasana, the face with a meditative expression, pierced elongated earlobes, eyes inlaid in crystal, both hands in dhyanamudra, the hair arranged in small, snail-shaped spiral curls (rahotsu) rising into the ushnisha, wearing an open pleated garment covering both shoulders, the body applied with lacquer and gold pigment, inlaid glass urna to the forehead and to the hair, the mandala carved with a lotus flower and foliate scrolls with two pierced circles, the figure seated on a carved wood lotus throne, placed on an elaborate lower base with four clawed demons to each corner and opposing dragons amongst clouds, the mid-section with panels of reticulated floral sprays; placed on an associated table carved with lotuses in high relief, a silk brocade mat on top of the table, engraved copper fittings
51 cm. (20 in.) high (the seated figure)
123.5 cm. (48⁵⁄₈ in.) high (including lower base, stand and mandala)
153 cm. (60¹⁄₄ in.) high (including table, lower base, stand and mandala)

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The sculpture represents Amitabha, known in Japanese as Amida Nyorai, or the Buddha of Limitless Light. Serenely seated on top of a carved lotus pedestal with legs crossed in the lotus position, the holy figure’s hands join together in the mudra of mediation. The downcast gaze directed towards the onlooker below is emblematic of the infinite compassion of which his name is synonymous. Amitabha reigns over the Western Pure Land, a paradise to which anyone is welcomed if they faithfully and sincerely incant his name. This place of salvation became central to the Jodo [lit. Pure Land] sect of Buddhism. Propounded in 1175 by the monk Honen, the accessibility of such tenets of redemption allowed this form of Buddhism to proliferate across the nation and feudal classes of Japan. Often depicted with an elaborate mandala, the boat-shaped halo is said to remind his followers that he serves as a guide for them to cross the ocean of suffering which contaminates the living.