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Subject:Bronze of seated Amida Nyorai - Japan - late C18th?
Posted By: Steve Mon, Mar 23, 2015 IP: 5.81.23.39
This bronze statue of Amida Nyorai (seated on a lotus pedestal and modelled on the C13th Daibutsu at Kotokuin Temple, Kamakura), has been in my family for many years. It is approx. 50 cm high and 27 cm in diameter at the base.
Some years ago it was valued by a London auction house for probate purposes and the valuer noted that the statue is dated in kanji on the back as "Tenmei Ninen", the second year of the Tenmei (Dawn) Era - 1782 - in the reign of Emperor Kokaku.
Unfortunately, my knowledge of Japanese is poor, so I would appreciate the expertise of members of the forum as to whether or not the date is correct and also as to whether the kanji inscriptions on the Buddha's back give any information about the identity of the bronze-caster/maker. I attach photographs of the front and rear of the Buddha as well as close-ups of the inscriptions.

With my sincere thanks,

Steve








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Subject:Re: Bronze of seated Amida Nyorai - Japan - late C18th?
Posted By: Guy Tue, Mar 24, 2015
I can confirm the date of Tenmei 2nd year, 3rd month (1782), shown in the picture at the right.

At the left, I read Oda (小田) and possibly Takashi or Mune (宗) and below Genmei or Motoaki (元明), last character not read.

Hope this helps.

Guy.

Subject:Re: Bronze of seated Amida Nyorai - Japan - late C18th?
Posted By: Michael O Wed, Mar 25, 2015

I read the furthest left as 光明寺.

Subject:Re: Bronze of seated Amida Nyorai - Japan - late C18th?
Posted By: Guy Wed, Mar 25, 2015
Yes indeed, thank you. Should be read as 'Komyoji'.
The name of a temple near Kyoto?

Guy.

Subject:Re: Bronze of seated Amida Nyorai - Japan - late C18th?
Posted By: Steve Wed, Mar 25, 2015
My sincere thanks to Guy for confirming the date of the bronze with such precision and to him and to Michael O for their suggestions for deciphering the left inscription.

I will be most grateful for any further help in identifying the bronze-caster/maker from the left inscription.

Best regards,

Steve

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