Calligraphy and Textiles

Edict by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, et al. (detail)
Muromachi period, 1458

The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures Room 6
October 24, 2023 (Tue) - November 19, 2023 (Sun)

The works of calligraphy held in the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures primarily consist of records donated to the temple by Empress Kōken (713–770), works imported from China during the Tang dynasty (618–907), and Horyuji Temple’s records of daily events as well as legends concerning Prince Shōtoku.

The textiles held in the collection date from the mid-7th to 8th century and consist mainly of Buddhist ritual banners (ban), table mats (joku), and robes or other clothing worn by monks. The textiles also include fragments whose original uses are unknown, including rare ancient textiles, such as warp-faced compound weaves, tapestries, warp ikat fragments, complex gauze (ra), and plain- and twill- weave silks.

Dyed fabrics include examples of all three major dyeing techniques form the 8th century: tie-dyeing in a dot pattern (kōkechi), wax-resist dyeing (rōkechi), and clamp-resist dyeing (kyōkechi). The collection also features examples of early embroidery, braiding, and rugs.

Commentary Sheet (PDF)

Major Work(s) on Exhibit 13 results

Calligraphy

	Designation	Name	Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance	Period	Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number	CMT
		Edict by Ashikaga Takauji, et al.		Nanbokuchō period, 1336	N-17-1
Highlight		Edict by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, et al.		Muromachi period, 1458	N-17-2
		Daily Records of Hōryū-ji Temple		Muromachi period, 1449	N-23-10
		Daily Records of Hōryū-ji Temple		Muromachi period, 1449	N-23-11

	Designation	Name	Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance	Period	Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number	CMT
Highlight	Important Cultural Property	Fragment of "Joku" Mat with hexagons (front side cloth)		Asuka period, 7th century	N-43
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner) “Banner Leg”		Asuka - Nara period, 7th - 8th century	N-319-61-2
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner) “Banner Leg”		Asuka - Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-63-1
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner) "Banner Leg" with Arrowhead Patterns		Asuka - Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-75-1
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner) "Banner Leg" with Arrowhead Patterns		Asuka - Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-87-1
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner): "Banner Leg" with Tortoises and Foliage in Hexagons		Asuka - Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-89-3
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner): "Banner Leg" with Nested Diamonds		Asuka - Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-108
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner): "Banner Leg" with Tortoiseshells		Asuka - Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-113
		Fragment of "Ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner) "Banner Leg" with Arrowhead Patterns		Asuka - Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-161-1

Exhibitions