This powerful hand-painted ink drawing is an original design from Kyoto, dating to the Meiji period (1868–1912). Originally crafted on thin, delicate rice paper, this piece served as a technical model for a Buddhist altar cloth, an essential textile used to adorn sacred spaces. Measuring approximately 31 inches by 16 inches (79 cm x 41 cm), the drawing features a distinctive triangular silhouette intended for the specific draping requirements of a Buddhist altar. While the artwork remains in good condition, it bears the authentic marks of its history as a working workshop blueprint, including noticeable crease marks and minor age-related wear to the paper.

The composition depicts a majestic phoenix (ho-o) descending toward a mythical kirin, two of the most revered creatures in East Asian mythology. The phoenix is rendered with breathtaking detail, its expansive wings and flowing tail feathers filling the upper portion of the frame with rhythmic, swirling lines. Below, the hooved kirin is depicted amidst jagged, ink-washed mountain peaks, looking upward at the celestial bird. The entire scene is executed in masterful black ink calligraphy, using fine, expressive strokes to convey a sense of divine harmony and the arrival of a peaceful era, which these auspicious creatures traditionally symbolize.

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