The Folk Arts of Japan, Hugo Munsterberg, Page 128, paragraph 2

More closely related to the Buddhist art of the capital are the popular carvings found in the graveyards and temple compounds of local sanctuaries. The fines of the se are in Nara Prefecture, but similar ones are seen in many parts of Japan. They too are representations of Buddhist gods, but instead of showing obscure deities of folk religion, they are more likely to portray the regular Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (Bosatsu, in Japanese). Characteristic of this type of sculpture are the carving of the Amida Buddha (Plate 84) and the Bodhisatva images found outside of Nara City (Plate 85). The style and iconography obviously reflect that of the sculpture of the great temples of Nara, but the use of stone and the simple strength of the carving is characteristic of this type of folk art. The serene majesty of Amida and the gentle, mysterious expression of the many-armed Bosatsu are well rendered and show the truly religious feeling of many of these works.

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