Amida triad (Amida sanzon): Buddha Amida (O 16), Bodhisattva Kannon (O 17), Bodhisattva Seishi (O 18)

Japan, 18th–19th century

Gilt wood carving and brass.

H: 131 cm (O/16), H: 96 cm (O/17), H: 96 cm (O/18)

O/16, O/17, O/18

Purchased from H. Saenger, Hamburg, in 1908.

The Amida triad (Amida sanzon) is a popular subject in Buddhist sculpture and painting. Amidism expanded to Japan in the 9th century, later appearing in paintings and sculptures. Buddha Amida (Sanskrit: Amitabha), one of the most important Buddhas of Mahayana Buddhism, stands in the centre of the sculpture. On the right is bodhisattva

Kannon (Sanskrit: Avalokitesvara), one of the most important bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. She is a goddess of mercy and compassion. On the left is bodhisattva Seishi (Sanskrit: Mahasthamaprapta), the bodhisattva of the power of wisdom. The figures are arranged on a base with a lotus flower, symbolising purity of body, speech and mind. Their hands are held in a ritual gesture (mudra).

The statuettes are carved from wood and gilt; metal details are executed in gilt brass. The workmanship in the Amida Triad builds on the traditions of the Kei school of Buddhist woodcarving from the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Distinctive for its simplicity, realism and muted colours, the Kei school influenced Japanese Buddhist sculpture up until the 19th century. According to information from H. Saenger’s letter to Josef Škorpil dated 8 October 1908, the triad had originally been part of a Buddhist temple in the province of Yamato (present-day Nara Prefecture); from there it passed into private ownership as part of a home altar. H. Saenger acquired the statues from the private owner and offered them to Josef Škorpil together with a statue of bodhisattva

Jizo. The statues are among the few examples of Japanese Buddhist art in the museum’s collections. (JMl)