Silk temple cloth, Japan, Meiji (circa 1900), cm 168x30. This is a vintage ‘ouhi’, part of a ‘kesa’, a robe used by Buddhist monks, draped under one arm and fastened at the opposite shoulder. Kesa are thought to be modelled after a garment that Buddha’s mother made for him. Kesa were originally constructed of discarded fabrics. In Japan, during the Edo and Meiji periods, they were sometimes pieced together from robes used in Noh theatre. The actual piece shows, on a deep purple silk background lined in pink silk, an embroidery of golden threads that outlines a pattern of clouds and angels (tennyo) playing musical instruments. Four patches of orange silk damask with pair of confronting phoenixes do complete the cloth that still retains its original laces for wearing. The angels resemble very much in look those found on Safavid silks from Persia, and this is no wonder i might be tempted to add… Photo details have been shot with different light conditions. Apart from a few spots of heavy fraying on golden threads in embroidery, the cloth is in good condition with no stains or similar. Quite a smart thing to own, we think.