nikkeishu 肉髻珠

From the late Heian period a small circle carved at the front part of the base of the *nikkei 肉髻, a hemispherical protuberance on top of the head of a Buddhist deity. The nikkeishu was sometimes painted red, or a crystal was inlaid in this position. It is thought to be one of the characteristics of a Buddha *nyorai 如来.