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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
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette