Attributed to be written in the hands of Shandao Daishi and Li Gonglin
Kamakura-Muromachi periods (13th-15th centuries)
Tangible Cultural Property, designated by Yamagata Prefecture
Donated by the Homma family
Shandao Daishi (613–681) was a great exponent of Pure Land Buddhism during the Tang dynasty in China; he greatly influenced Hōnen (founder and reformer of the first Japanese branch of Pure Land Buddhism, the Jōdo sect) and Shinran (pupil of Hōnen and founder of the Jōdo Shinshū sect).
This painting is based on the legend that when Shandao Daishi held his hands together in prayer, the prayer transformed into the form of Amida (the principal Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism) and flew out to save mankind.
In the upper part of the image, there is accompanying text by ordained monk Donshō of the Southern Song dynasty in China, and the note of authentication by an artist of the same era, Li Gonglin.
A similar work has also been found at Zendō-ji, a temple associated with Chion-ji Temple in Kyoto, indicating that the original was widely circulated.
This scroll was a treasured possession of Reizei Tamechika, a master artist of the Edo period instrumental in reviving Yamato-e (a classical style of Japanese painting inspired by Tang dynasty paintings), who presented it as a gift to his Buddhist teacher, Gankai. Later, in 1924 (Taishō 13), it was passed on to the Homma family by Kikuchi Shūgon, head priest of the Homma family temple Jōfuku-ji.