Japanse Textiles, Antique Buddhist Ritual Banners
SOLD Thank you!
A pair of Japanese silk brocade temple banners with gold threads decorated with a dragon, a phoenix and floral roundels on a shippo
background; the edges with white (aged to brownish beige) borders and
brass mounts with engraved flowers.
The shape of the banners is almost identical to the banners (hundreds) that were discovered from Shoso-in, the repository of Todai-ji temple. The banners (called Nishiki Dojyo Ban) were used at a Buddhist memorial service held in 757, marking the first anniversary of the death of Emperor Shomu. Hundreds of banners were donated by his wife, Empress Komei, to Todai-ji and we are able to see them today, 1250 years later!
The dimensions are 84 inches long, 20 inches across on shoulder, dates to
the 19th century, late Edo or possibly the first part of the Meiji period.
$2650.00 Please e-mail or call.