Ko-bukusa Cloth (Tea-things) (tousyoudaijigire)

Toshodaiji, one of the most famous temples in Nara, was founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Jianzhen (Chien-chen), who is known as Ganjin to the Japanese and much respected as a high Buddhist priest in the Nara Period (710 - 794). The original piece had been discovered in the ceiling of the temple's wooden storehouse during its repair work. Further investigation identified it as a Nishiki (brocade) brought in by Ganjin when he immigrated into Japan. The design is composed of 8-petalled flowers surrounded by pearl rings with floral diamonds in space. On red ground the motifs are all outlined in yellow. This is a fine brocade representing a high-level weaving technique.