地域観光資源の 多言語解説文データベース

Statue of Amida Nyorai

This seated statue of Amida, Buddha of the Western Pure Land, was created in 888 to serve as the principal object of worship at Ninnaji. The image projects a serene presence with downcast eyes and smooth wooden curves. Amida is believed to grant rebirth in the Western Pure Land, or paradise, free from the endless cycle of death and rebirth. This statue is identifiable as Amida from its hand position, with the thumb and forefingers of each hand pressed together to form a circle. In seated statues, the hands are held in the lap, in front of the belly, a position of meditation that is seen almost exclusively in statues of Amida.

Carved from a single block of wood, the image is celebrated as the starting point of a Japanese sculpting style that continued to evolve during the Heian period (794–1185). The statue has secular significance as well: it is an important example of the beginnings of the Japanization of Buddhist statuary. When Buddhism was brought to Japan via China in the sixth century, sculpting techniques from continental Asia were also introduced. One example is the hollow-core dry-lacquer method of crafting statues that thrived here during the Nara period (710–794). It was some time before the statues began to depart from their continental precedents and take on a style of their own.

阿彌陀佛如來坐像（國寶）

此木雕坐像為阿彌陀佛如來，亦是西方淨土的佛陀。佛像於888年問世，是仁和寺的本尊。作為日本最古老的阿彌陀佛如來像，祂眼神低垂，輪廓優雅，盡顯莊重。阿彌陀佛超脫了生死輪迴，賜予眾生投胎西方淨土（極樂世界）的機會。從佛像雙手擺放的位置即可判斷該佛像為阿彌陀佛如來像。只見佛像雙手拇指與食指相接構成圓形，並放於禪坐的膝上、腹前，呈現該冥想坐姿的幾乎只有阿彌陀佛如來像。

整尊阿彌陀佛如來像以單塊木頭雕成，反映出平安時代（794-1185）正是日本雕刻崛起進化的原點，因而獲得高度讚譽。此阿彌陀佛像更具超出宗教範疇的重要意涵——象徵佛像的日本化。佛教於6世紀經中國傳入日本，同時雕刻技術亦隨其一併傳入。奈良時代（710-794）盛行的脫胎漆器工藝便是一例。然而日本歷經多年方才脫離前述中國佛像的範例，確立獨自風格。

阿弥陀佛如来坐像（国宝）

该木雕坐像为阿弥陀佛如来，即西方净土的佛陀。佛像问世于888年，是仁和寺的本尊。作为日本最古老的阿弥陀佛如来像，他视线低垂，轮廓优雅，端庄稳重。阿弥陀佛超脱了生死轮回，赐予众生投胎西方净土（极乐世界）的机会。从佛像双手摆放的位置即可断定该佛像为阿弥陀佛如来像。只见佛像双手拇指与食指相触构成圆形，并放于盘坐的膝上、腹前，该冥想坐姿几乎不会出现于阿弥陀佛如來以外的佛像身上。

这尊阿弥陀佛如来像以整木雕成，体现出平安时代（794-1185）正是日本雕刻崛起进化的原点，因而获得高度赞誉。此阿弥陀佛像更具超出宗教范畴的重要内涵——象征佛像的日本化。佛教于6世纪经中国传入日本，同时雕刻技术也随其一并传入。奈良时代（710-794）盛行的脱胎漆器工艺便是一例。然而日本历经多年才得以脱离前述中国佛像的范例，确立独自风格。