Book Cover (tenjyukokusyutomon)

Chuguji is a convent-temple supposed to be built in the late 6th century and now located in the precinct of Horyuji Temple near Nara. There are preserved fragments of two embroideries called the "Tenjukoku Mandalas", National Treasure, which were executed after Prince Shotoku’s death in 622 at the order of his wife, depicting the prince living in a paradise known as Tenjukoku. Adopted from the above embroidery work, the pattern of this brocade is composed of roundels showing a rabbit in the moon joyful wit h a sacred pot given by the Buddha according to a legend in ancient China. In a space between the roundels arranged are turtles inscribed with 4 different Chinese words on each back. It is woven as a warp-patterned brocade in an attempt to realize the embroidering technique representing the Asuka culture (mid-6th to mid-7th century).