Wooden head of the Buddha Amida

From Japan
Kamakura-Muromachi period, 14th-15th century AD

This head of the Buddha Amida (Sanskrit: Amitabha), ruler of the Western Paradise, is one metre tall, and must have come from a statue many times life size, possibly seated. This may have been the central figure of a triad, with the bodhisattvas Kannon (Avalokiteshvara) and Seishi (Mahasthamaprapta) on either side. The face has the marked expression of compassion, which characterizes Buddhas.

L. Smith, V. Harris and T. Clark, Japanese art: masterpieces in (London, The British Museum Press, 1990)

W. Zwalf (ed.), Buddhism: art and faith (London, The British Museum Press, 1985)