Ennin made 2 statues of Amida from the sacred nutmeg tree.
The 2nd he made after meeting the 'real' Amida on his way home from China.
On Mt Wutai the bodhisattva of wisdom, Monju (文殊), taught him the 'Infinite Life Sutra', but it was so long that he soon began to forget parts.
During his studies in China, Ennin visited the temple of Chishan Fahua (赤山法華院 'Sekizan Hokke-in' in Japanese) in order to receive a personal tutelary deity he might bring back to Japan.
Deported in 846, he returned home with the god 'Sekizan Myōjin' (赤山明神) in tow.
🤕THE TWISTED HEAD🔄
Shinshōgokuraku-ji's (真正極楽寺) statue is known as 'Amida with the Inclined Head' (うなずきの弥勒) & the 'Shaking Head Amida' (頭振りの阿弥陀).
Ennin (円仁) crafted the image from a sacred nutmeg tree in which the god Myōkamyōjin (苗鹿明神) appeared to him.
Ennin made 2 statues of Amida from the sacred nutmeg tree. The 2nd he made after meeting the 'real' Amida on his way home from China.
Camellia Tea Ceremony