Title: Amida Nyorai Zazō (The Seated Amida Buddha), Circa 1050-1250. An Extremely Rare Heian to Kamakura Period Painting of the Buddha, Beautifully Illuminated
Author: Stated Attribution to Genshin, or Eshin Sozu
Condition: Good
A Late Heian to Early Kamakura Period, Mid 11th to late 12th century painting of the Amida Nyorai Zazō, also known as The Seated Amida Buddha. The Buddha is seated upon a grand multi-tiered hexagonal throne, and is fully resplendent in glittering, illuminated robes, with a shining, golden crown, and a serene expression upon the Buddha’s face. The figure of the Amida is further highlighted with a large halo.
There is a stated attribution to the painting being produced by Eshin Sozu, also known as Genshin (942-1017). A Tendai sect monk from the mid-Heian period, he was respectfully referred to as Eshin Sozu and Yokokawa Sozu. The founder of the Eshin school of Tendai Buddhism, he was gifted with academic talent, leaving behind writings on a wide range of subjects, not only Pure Land Buddhism but also in areas such as inmyo, shōsō, and Tendai. The Ojoyoshu for one, is one of his most famed works.
The attribution is one that is doubtful, however, as it was rather common for some paintings of the Heian and Kamakura periods to bear stated attributions to him. This painting is certainly the earliest I have ever seen, however, with a stated attribution to the monk.
The painting has been neatly mounted onto a brocade decorated kakejiku (hanging scroll), with jikusaki (knobs) made of brass. There is a wooden box to accompany the scroll, preserving it.
One illuminated painting mounted on a kakejiku (hanging scroll), 76 x 36.5 cm main painting
This painting is in in good shape, with some creasing and some chipping, with minor loss to the main composition.