The Zenrinji Mikaeri Amida: Some notes and considerations

This paper is an art historical and iconographic analysis of a peculiar Japanese sculpted image, a standing wooden statue of Amitābha Buddha (Jap. Amida Nyōrai阿弥陀如来) characterized by a very unusual pose. The statue, known in Japan as Mikaeri Amida見返り阿弥陀 (Amitābha, looking back), constitutes the main icon (honzon 本尊) of the Zenrinji禅林寺 (or Eikandō永観堂) temple in Kyoto. This sculpture will be analyzed within the wider context of Pure Land artistic production, with particular reference to a category of depictions known as raigō 来迎図 (“welcoming approach”) in Japan, and other Amitābha Amida images often utilized in deathbed rites. For a better understanding of this type of iconography, additional material evidence from China and Korea will be examined.