Mantle for Buddhist temple priest (kesa), brocaded silk
Japan, Kyoto; late 18th century (also dated to late 19th-early 20th century)
Collected by Arlene Miller Rolkin, before 1977.
9–13556
A priest wears the mantle over his left shoulder, under his right arm, and tied in the front. Made of thirteen patched panels and a border, this garment was for a high-ranking priest, indicated by a greater number of panels and the purple lining. The corner patches represent the four kings of Heaven and the four compass points, while the two shoulder patches are the two disciples of Buddha, Fugen and Monju.
Buddhist home altar
Japan
Collected by UC Decorative Art Dept., acc. 1974.
9–12594a-c
Japanese Buddhists place portable shrines on altars in temple sanctuaries or in homes. Daily as well as on special occasions, they place offerings of food, flowers, and incense on the altar as a thanksgiving to deceased ancestors and to the Buddha.
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