Buddhist temple hanging of embroidered silk with floss silk and silver-gilt threads, Japan, 1780-1840

Buddhist temple hanging of embroidered silk with floss silk, silver-gilt threads, and lined with silk. Embroidery on figured silk, depicting Kannon in flowing robes standing on a lotus. In his left hand he holds a lotus bud while the broad halo behind radiates golden beams of light. Kannon's skin, head-dress, amulets and the lotus bud are worked with couched silver-gilt thread and the robes are embroidered with laid and couched work in floss silk, couched twisted cord and raised satin stitches on figured silk. Edged with a five and a half inches border of black and gold figured satin and it is lined with lozenge-patterned silk faded shades of blue and white.

Given by F. J. Allen, Esq.

This embroidered Buddhist hanging depicts Kannon, one of the most popular bodhisattvas in Japan. Boddhisattvas are holy beings who have escaped the cycle of rebirth to obtain the the ultimate state of bliss, or nivarna, but have chosen to come back into the world to help human beings. Kannon is believed to be the personification of infinite compassion, who provides protection in the present life and helps transport the faithful to the Pure Land after death.

T.208-1958