AN IMPRESSIVE HANGING SCROLL PAINTING OF A WELCOMING DESCENT OF AMIDA BUDDHA AND BODHISATTVAS (AMIDO SHOJU RAIGO-ZU), MUROMACHI PERIOD

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AN IMPRESSIVE HANGING SCROLL PAINTING OF A WELCOMING DESCENT OF AMIDA BUDDHA AND BODHISATTVAS (AMIDO SHOJU RAIGO-ZU), MUROMACHI PERIOD Japan, late 14th to early 15th century, Muromachi period (1336-1573) Ink, watercolors, and gold on silk. Mounted as a hanging scroll within a silk brocade frame with gold couched thread, chased bronze fittings and jikusaki (roller ends) and a wood futomaki (roller). Depicting Amida Buddha accompanied by twelve bosatsu (bodhisattvas) descending amidst white and gilt scrolling clouds against a vibrant blue ground, all shown standing in a celestial procession. Amida occupies the foremost position, his right hand raised in the semui-in (abhaya mudra), the gesture of reassurance and fearlessness. Flanking him are Seishi Bosatsu and Fudo Bosatsu, with Jizo Bosatsu positioned behind Fudo. The remaining nine bodhisattvas are arranged in vertical ranks behind them, forming a descending assembly characteristic of raigo imagery. Image SIZE 91.3 x 38.7 cm, SIZE incl. mounting 165 x 57.5 cm With a wood storage box (tomobako) labeled Sotheby’s lot ‘2’, with two more Sotheby's label to the interior. The raigo theme, which originated in China, was made popular with the teachings of the monk Genshin during the eleventh century. Raigo paintings were the principal images in Buddhist death rituals, used as a point of focus for the dying devotee. According to Pure Land Buddhist belief, Amida Buddha welcomes devotees to his paradise, the Western Pure Land, where they can achieve perfect spiritual development. Museum comparison: Compare a related hanging scroll painting featuring the Welcoming Descent of Amida, dated 1300-1333, 171.8 x 84.5 cm, in the Cleveland Museum of Art, accession number 1953.123. Compare a related raigo-zu hanging scroll, dated 14th century, in the Nara National Museum, image number H 055326. Auction comparison: Compare a related hanging scroll painting of Amida Raigo, dated 14th century, image size 117.5 cm x 53.5 cm, at Bonhams, Samurai · Snow · Spectacle ·, 7 November 2024, London, lot 281 (sold for GBP 14,080 or approx. EUR 17,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

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