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A friend’s father bought this belt buckle on a street in what was left of Tokyo sometime in late 1945. He had no idea what it meant or said, he just purchased it to help the cripple man selling it. Can anyone translate or provide some context to what is depicted? Suggestions of other sources are welcome as well.

Left、
阿弥陀佛　Amida Butsu - Amida Buddha
Right,
....陀佛 ...da Butsu - ...da Buddha
(Same as above, only the first two characters have been truncated or folded back)

Two characters on the left,
玉光　Gyokukō　　Probably the name of maker

With regards,
I.Nagy

Thanks so much for the translation. Do you have any insight into the context or meaning of the scene depicted?

Regards,
Mark G

The inscription is a religious chant practiced by the Shingon Sect. In full it should be:
南無阿弥陀佛　Namu Anmida Butsu
which translates to:
"I take refuge in Amida Buddha"

With regards,
I.Nagy

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