Welcoming Descent of Amida (Amida Raigō)1300–1333 · Study 1953.123

Context from the museum

In the Pure Land school of Buddhism, Amida Buddha is the focus of worship. Pictured here is the raigō , or the moment when Amida descends with his retinue to welcome a dying person into his Pure Land, called the Western Paradise. Once there, a person can concentrate on becoming enlightened. Images like this one could be placed before a person on their deathbed to help them stay faithful and motivated to attain birth in the Pure Land.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected painting measurement for Welcoming Descent of Amida (Amida Raigō) is 84.5 cm wide and 171.8 cm high, equivalent to approximately 33.3 × 67.6 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 0.49:1. The rectangular bounding area is 1.45 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 28.2% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 107.8 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Welcoming Descent of Amida (Amida Raigō) in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, hanging scroll; ink, color and gold on silk, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this vertical composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 84.5 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?