Vase Mat (S) (Shikami-mon Chohan-kin)

A front view of a "lion-mask" is patterned on a ground of Chohan (vertical stripes using multi-colors) which was rather primitive for the Nara period Japan (8th century). This design depicts lion lined up horizontally opening the mouth on the vertical stripes colored in red, green , light blue, and purple. While quite stylized, the pattern preserves the ancient Chinese motif of the t'ao t'ieh (ogre mask).