This historically significant silk uchishiki (altar cloth) is precisely dated to 1847 during the late Edo period, as indicated by inscriptions on the reverse. Measuring 26 inches by 26 inches (66 cm x 66 cm) in its formal diamond orientation, the textile features a light sky-blue silk ground adorned with two primary Buddhist motifs.

The upper half of the cloth depicts a majestic phoenix (ho-o) in flight among swirling white clouds. The phoenix is rendered with vibrant coral wings and a long, multi-colored tail, symbolizing peace and the arrival of a new era of tranquility. Below, the terrestrial realm is represented by a lotus pond featuring a large, scalloped green leaf, a pure white blossom, and a budding flower. In Buddhism, the lotus signifies spiritual purity—emerging from the mud to bloom unsullied above the water. While the piece is in good condition overall, there are visible stains and certain areas where the fine embroidery has worn bare over nearly two centuries of ritual use.

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