Kūya

thumb|right|250px|Statue of Kūya by Kōshō (sculptor)|Kōshō, son of [[Unkei, at , Kyoto, dating to the first decade of the thirteenth century and an Important Cultural Property. The six Chinese characters of the nembutsu, 南無阿弥陀仏 (na-mu-a-mi-da-butsu), are represented by six small figures of Amitābha streaming from Kūya's mouth. He walks as if on a pilgrimage, holding a staff topped with an antler and striking a gong. Similar statues, all of the Kamakura period and Important Cultural Properties, may be found at in Kyoto, in Ehime Prefecture and in Shiga Prefecture. There are a number of related images of Zendō (Shandao), with holes in the mouth thought to be for attaching now lost figures.]]

was an itinerant Japanese hijiri (ascetic, ), later ordained in the Tendai sect, who was an early proselytizer of the practice of the nembutsu amongst the populace. Kūya's efforts helped promote Pure Land Buddhism to the capital at a time when the movement was first gaining traction in Japan. For his efforts, Kūya earned the name ichi hijiri (hijiri of the marketplace) and Amida hijiri. Kūya was known for taking images with him on his travels and added musical rhythm and dance to his prayers, known as odori nembutsu. Like Gyōki, he is said to have performed works for the public benefit, such as building roads and bridges, digging wells, and burying abandoned corpses.