Property of various owners A GILT-WOOD FIGURE OF KANNONEdo period (1615-1868), 18th/19th century The standing figure leaning slightly forward, dressed in wind-swept robes indicating movement, the hands held palm upwards holding a lotus platform (now lost), the headdress, necklace, and arm bands of cut gilt copper enhanced with colored glass and semi-precious stones, set on a later black-lacquered base 13 7/8in (24.1cm) high, figure only; 17 3/4in (45.1cm) high overall The forward-leaning stance and moving drapery suggest this figure was part of an Amida Raigo Triad (Weing Descent of Amida Buddha), in which Amida is apanied by his two main attendants, Kannon and Seishi, as they descend from the Pure Land Paradise to earth to receive recently departed believers.