This painting reflects the iconography known as “Amida Coming Over the Mountains. ” It is one of several iconographies depicting the buddha Amida hastening to the side of those on the verge of passing on. Though generally depicted as descending from on high, in these works Amida approaches from beyond a range of mountains. Examples from as early as the Kamakura period (1185–1333) have been identified, though this painting’s composition suggests it dates to the Muromachi period (1392–1573). Note how Amida’s upper body is rendered in collosal proportions as he winds his way through the mountains. 
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