AMIDA NYORAI JAPON, ÉPOQUE EDO |

encre, couleurs, or et feuille d'or sur soie, montée en rouleau, boîte couverte en bois (3)

Acquired in Japan by Willem van Heusden before 1955 (according to his wife).

'I have not been able to surely identify this Buddha or Bodhisattva who is probably peculiar to one of the esoteric (tantric, probably Shingon) Buddhist sects. I believe, however, that the figure reprensents Dainichi i. e. Varocana, immediately under the Adi-buddha and, as the sun, the ultimate symbol of all pervading light, energy and creative power. He is worshipped by the the Vajrayana sect of Tantrism which, incidentally, makes of sexual mysticism. In Japan it is a branch of Shingon.' Quote Willem van Heusden in his notes accompanying this painting.