Subashi Monastery: Reliquary Container

CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu; Tang dynasty

This reliquary container was excavated from Subashi Monastery in Kucha, Aksu in Xinjiang. It was brought to Japan by the Otani Expedition. Music and dance featured prominently in Kuchean society, as can been seen in the images of this reliquary container.
The wooden box has a cylindrical body and a conical lid. Covered in a layer of linen and painted entirely in red, images were then drawn on the box before oil-based colors were applied. The body of the box has an illustration of 21 figures led by two children carrying a large drum. Following the children is a man with a waist drum and dancers with different musical instruments. The lid is painted with four cameos surrounded by beads, each containing a kneeling child holding a musical instrument, two of which have wings on their backs.