This elegant silk brocade uchishiki (altar cloth), dating to the Meiji period (1868–1912), is a refined example of Buddhist liturgical textile art. Measuring 25 inches by 26 inches (64 cm x 66 cm), the cloth is constructed from high-quality black silk backed with white cotton.
The composition is designed to be viewed as a diamond, featuring several significant Buddhist motifs:
- The Roundels: Three gold-threaded roundels are placed strategically across the field. The primary upper roundel and one of the lower ones feature a central peony enclosed within a circular border of leaves, while the third roundel displays an intricate geometric floral lattice.
- Auspicious Clouds: Five "five-color" clouds (goshiki-un) are scattered around the central roundel. In Buddhist tradition, these multi-colored clouds symbolize the divine presence of the Buddha and the path to enlightenment.
- Craftsmanship: The motifs are rendered in supplemental weft brocade using metallic gold and vibrant silk threads in shades of peach, green, and blue.
The textile is in very good condition overall, though it shows slight tearing along the vertical center folding line and some foxing on the cotton backing.