This large, triangular uchishiki (Buddhist altar cloth) is a significant historical textile, precisely dated to 1804 by kanji script inscribed on its reverse side. This date places it in the early 19th century, during the mid-Edo period. The cloth measures an impressive 60 inches by 41 inches (152 cm x 104 cm) and is crafted from a warm, terracotta-colored silk with a contrasting white silk band along the upper edge.

The focal point of the piece is a large central butterfly crest (cho-mon), skillfully realized through a combination of appliqué and embroidery. The butterfly is enclosed within a white circular border, its wings featuring detailed white and brown patterns. In Japanese culture, the butterfly is a deeply symbolic motif representing transformation and the spirits of the departed, while also serving as a joyous emblem of spring. Despite its age, the textile remains a striking example of early 19th-century ritual craftsmanship, though it does exhibit some small stains and holes consistent with its historical use.

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