Kinpu Envelope Holder (En-mon Byakko Suzaku Nishiki)

This is a warp-patterned brocade with design of a pair of Chine se white tigers and phoenix, the imaginary animals to protect the west direction and the southern direction respectively according to the ancient Chinese thought, appear in roundel of the Sassanian Dynasty of Persian style. The original design has been handed down in Horyu-ji tem ple in Nara, Japan since the 7 th century. The arabesque pattern in the roude l are also the typical of that period. The original design is adapted to the modern taste and woven in to this brocade in our weaving technique.