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.