Descent of Eleven-headed Kannon (Avalokiteshvara), Japan, Kamakura period, 14th c.

Who: Eleven-headed Kannon (Avalokiteshvara)

What: Painting on hanging scroll depicting descent of Kannon from Amida's Pure Land

When: Kamakura Period, ca. 14th century

Where: Japan

How: ink, color, gold, and cut gold on silk; 

Why: In Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, he leads the Welcoming Descent (J: Raigo) of bodhisattvas who come to greet dying devotees and offers them a lotus throne 

hanging scroll, ink, color, gold, and cut gold on silk;