japanese vintage god statue - gold gilt wood amida nyorai sculpture

Love Japanese Style Like We Do

Elevate the energy of your space with this exquisite vintage gold gilt Amida Nyorai statue—a true masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship. Handcrafted with love and precision, this antique statue embodies the grace and spiritual beauty of one of Buddhism’s most revered figures. Ideal for any room, this stunning piece brings an air of ancient elegance and serene peace to your home or meditation space.

Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Limitless Life, is a symbol of hope, salvation, and spiritual rebirth. As the presiding deity over a heavenly paradise, Amida offers a promise of rebirth in his celestial realm for all devoted followers. For centuries, worshippers have sought connection through the practice of simple yet profound meditation and the recitation of prayers or sutras—gaining religious merit and drawing nearer to Amida’s boundless compassion.

This statue beautifully captures the essence of Pure Land Buddhism, where sacred art serves as a pathway to enlightenment. Amida Nyorai sits serenely on a lotus flower, framed by an almond-shaped aureole of radiant light, and delicate carved cloud motifs. His hands form the Mida no Join meditation mudra, a unique gesture found almost exclusively in Japan, symbolizing the triumph of enlightenment over worldly illusions.

Hand-carved by skilled Butsudan wood carvers from Japanese cypress wood, this statue has been lovingly gilded with gold, which has gracefully aged over time, adding a layer of character and depth. While the piece exhibits slight signs of age—such as gentle wear and subtle scratches on the lacquer—its structural integrity remains in excellent condition. This is not just a decorative piece, but a meaningful work of art, offering a sacred atmosphere to any space.

Whether you are enhancing your meditation room, seeking a meaningful Buddhist art piece, or simply looking for a stunning antique decoration, this Amida Nyorai statue will surely bring peace and spiritual richness to your surroundings.

- measures 26 cm (14.1”) high x 12 cm (4.7”) across x 8.5 cm (3.4”) deep.
- weighs 320 gm.

(listing for Amida Nyorai statue only)

SHIPPING INFORMATION
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- we use recycle packaging wherever possible and wrap for safety, rather than appearance!

ABOUT OUR VINTAGE, ANTIQUE AND OTHER ITEMS
We list pieces we feel are worthy of display. There may be scratches, dents, fading and signs of wear and tear. We try to explain the condition of each item exactly, but may miss something.

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AMIDA NYORAI AND THE PURE LAND
Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the sixth century AD and flourished under the patronage of the imperial prince Shotoku (574–622) and the establishment of the great temples of Horyu-ji near present-day Nara and Shitenno-ji in Osaka. 

Early forms of Buddhism, coming from China and Korea, were mainly Mahayana Buddhist practices that emphasized a concept of universal salvation through elaborate ritual and the worshiping of many deities. By the end of the tenth century, the more accessible and popular practice of Pure Land Buddhism took over.

Pure Land worship centered on the Amida Nyorai Buddha; the Buddha of Immeasurable Light and Limitless Life. Amida presided over a heavenly paradise and promised salvation and rebirth in his paradise for all worshippers. 

Meditation encouraged practitioners to visualise Amida in his heavenly paradise and accumulate religious merit through simple meditation and recitation of prayers or sutras.

Works of art were essential to the Pure Land doctrine and its next-world emphasis on rebirth and salvation. 

Until the twelfth century Amida Nyorai was usually represented seated on a lotus flower; however, during the Heian period (794–1185) and Kamakura period (1185–1333) the concept of raigo (welcoming descent) flourished and Amida Buddha was often represented in a standing pose descending from the heavens to fetch his devotees and personally transport them back to his blissful paradise.

Some distinguishing features of Amida Buddha are the extended lobe on top of his head to accommodate his advanced understanding of the truth, his large ears that allow him to hear all people in need, the rose-coloured crystal among his curly hair that emits rays of light displaying his supreme knowledge, a single white spiral of hair on his forehead indicated by a white crystal to show his love and affection for humanity, and the folds on his neck that indicate compassion for all people. Amida Nyorai holds his hands in nine different positions called mudra. These hand gestures represent the nine possible paths for the dying to enter paradise.