This slit tapestry-weave silk uchishiki showcases depictions of karako (Chinese children) and Karajishi (imaginary lions) amid botan (peonies). The lining is hand-woven "asa" (hemp), and it measures 26 inches by 26 inches along its edges (66 cm x 66 cm). In very good condition, it shows slight deterioration with small brownish spots on the lion.

The Karajishi, a mythical guardian beast, safeguards against evil. In Eastern Asian Buddhist folklore, the lion's fatal enemy was a tiny liver parasite, curable by residing among wild peony plants whose fragrance repelled the parasite. This tale symbolizes the relation between humans and the Buddhist temple, emphasizing the peony's healing properties for the lion's liver disease.

The term karako in Japanese art refers to small Chinese children, usually depicted as boys in traditional Chinese clothes. They symbolize the desire for a high-status male heir, bringing luck, happiness, and prosperity.

Special colors on this altar cloth hold Buddhist meanings. The red surrounding the lion and peonies signifies powerful rituals and passion transmuted into discerning wisdom, believed to possess protective qualities. Light and dark blue clouds symbolize significance: light blue represents turquoise, revered in Buddhist spiritual life, while dark blue signifies 'lapis lazuli,' denoting purity or rarity. Auspicious five-colored clouds represent Buddha.

This artwork is featured on pages 60-63 of Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

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