Calligraphy and Textiles

Fragment of Kanton-ban (Buddhist Ritual Banner) (detail), Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century

The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures Room 6
March 12, 2024 (Tue) - April 7, 2024 (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 12 results

Calligraphy

	Designation	Name	Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance	Period	Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number	CMT
Highlight	Important Cultural Property	Record of Hōryūji and Biography of Prince Shōtoku	By Kenshin	Kamakura period, 13th century	N-18-2
		Poem Anthology: "Rōei Yōshū"		Kmakura period, 1292	N-20

	Designation	Name	Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance	Period	Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number	CMT
Highlight		Fragment of Kanton-"ban" (Buddhist Ritual Banner)		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-304-1
	Important Cultural Property	Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban")		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-308
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg” with Pairs of Dragons, Vines, and Four-Petal Flowers in Circles		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-19-1
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg” with Geometric Patterns		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-47-4
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg”		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-61-3
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg” with Turtles, Floral Vines, and Linked Hexagons		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-90
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg”		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-97
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg”		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-100-1
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg” with Linked Hexagons		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-114-2
		Fragment of Buddhist Ritual Banner ("Ban"): “Banner Leg”		Asuka-Nara period, 7th-8th century	N-319-129-2

Exhibitions