Artwork preview

Welcoming Descent of Amida Buddha and Twenty-five Bodhisattvas

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The painting depicts a large central figure of a Buddha surrounded by 25 smaller figures of bodhisattvas. The Buddha has a blue topknot and wears a long robe that drapes over his left shoulder, with a halo around his body. He stands on a cloud, as do most of the bodhisattvas. The bodhisattvas are dressed similarly to the Buddha, in robes and with halos around their heads. Some of them hold objects. A large circular object with a swastika-like symbol on it floats above the Buddha's head, emitting white smoke or incense that wafts down. The background of the painting is gold, with some lighter gold and white accents to suggest clouds. The entire image is bordered by a thin black line with a gold pattern, set against a wider gold border.

Artwork details

Date:
1668
Medium:
Hanging scroll; ink, color, and gold on silk
Culture:
Japan
Dimensions:
377 × 625 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette