This exquisite triangular uchishiki (Buddhist altar cloth), originating from the Meiji period (1868–1912), serves as a masterful example of specialized Japanese weaving. Measuring 27 inches in width by 20 inches in height (69 cm x 51 cm), the textile is crafted from silk using the physically demanding tsume tsuzure (fingernail-woven) tapestry technique. This laborious process involves the weaver using their own serrated fingernails to press the weft threads into place, allowing for highly detailed and painterly transitions directly within the structure of the fabric. The composition features a vibrant blue-bodied phoenix soaring through a landscape of blossoming camellias and stylized clouds, all set against a warm, earthen-brown silk ground.

In the cultural context of Japan and China, the mythical phoenix is a high-prestige symbol associated with the imperial household and specifically the empress. It is a revered creature that embodies the qualities of fire, the sun, justice, and fidelity. Within the Buddhist tradition, the phoenix is often equated with Garuda, the "Bird of Life," making it a fitting motif for a sacred altar covering. The piece features a broad white silk band along the top edge and remains in very good condition, though it displays slight staining and several tiny holes that attest to its age and ritual history.

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