This silk uchishiki (Buddhist altar cloth) from Japan dates to the mid-Showa period (1940–1960). Measuring 36 inches wide by 22 inches in height (91 cm x 56 cm), the textile features a deep navy blue silk ground that provides a dramatic backdrop for its central ornamentation. The piece is finished with a wide, off-white silk header band.

The focal point is a single, large family crest (mon) executed in brilliant gold metallic thread. The motif depicts a stylized wood sorrel (katabami) leaf within a circular border, a popular symbol in Japan representing resilience and familial prosperity. The crest is rendered with dense, lustrous embroidery that creates a bold graphic contrast against the dark silk. While the textile is in very good condition overall, there is some minor splitting of the silk background where the heavy embroidery meets the fabric, a common occurrence in aged silk textiles due to the weight of the metallic threads.

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