Seated Amida (Amitabha)



Period Kamakura period, late 12th - early 13th century
Materials and techniques Gilt bronze
Size Overall H.86.4 Figure H.50.6


This gilt bronze seated statue embodies Amida making a blessing with the fingers. The mild facial expression, stout body and gentle flow of robes follow the sculpture style of the late Heian period. The statue was made by assembling the parts: torso with the head; the right arm; and lower part of the legs plus the left hand. The parts were cast separately and then were fitted by slots. This method, known as the joined-woodblock construction, was widely used for wooden sculptures since the Heian period. However, it was rarely applied to a metal statue and thus this is valuable.