google-site-verification: google615fe10ab62068fe.html
This fully-embroidered silk panel likely originated in a prestigious Japanese specialty workshop, possibly indicated by the embroidered "signature" denoting the workshop's name (refer to detailed images). Bordered by a woven border and backed with a sturdy woven dark green lining, it's in excellent condition, measuring 84 inches by 60 inches (213 cm by 152 cm).
The symbology embedded within this panel intertwines Buddhism and traditional Japanese philosophies. Tigers and bamboo have deep roots in Buddhist teachings, symbolizing the spiritual force needed to confront life's adversities. The tiger embodies bravery and determination, while the bamboo represents humility, flexibility, and longevity—a dichotomy reflecting the perpetual movement of the world, central to Japanese Zen philosophy.
The presence of tiger symbolism in Japan emerged with Buddhism's arrival in the sixth century through Korean monks, quickly integrating into various aspects of Japanese culture. The Samurai adopted these symbols, finding resonance with the majestic tiger representing their ethos. Bamboo, once symbolizing eternity and flexibility, evolved into a metaphor for merchants and peasants serving the Samurai. An ancient Japanese proverb further reinforces this symbiotic relationship: the strong protect the weak, and in return, the weak serve the strong—akin to the tiger guarding the bamboo while finding shelter within its protective embrace.