Toji Temple: Reliquary Palanquin

JAPAN, Kyoto; Kamakura period

Containing a reliquary brought back from China by Master Kukai, this palanquin was used to transport relics during Dharma services at Toji Temple. It was listed as a National Treasure in 1958.
The palanquin consists of an undercarriage, body, and roof. The undercarriage is divided into three registers: the lower register has depictions of the seven treasures against a diamond background, the middle has a pattern of a diamond within a circle, and on the upper register, there are two panels on each side with peonies painted on the indented parts. Mother-of-pearl is inlaid above, below, and in between the panels. There is a pair of ornamental brackets standing on each corner. Two poles for bearing the palanquin project from the middle register in the front and rear.
Each side consists of panels of openwork with golden lotuses against a background of scrolling vines. The frame of the panels at the bottom and sides is inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The square pyramidal roof has hip ends which curve upwards in an exaggerated fashion, and decorations hang from the eaves at the corners and in the middle. At the apex of the roof, there is a square harmika, inverted and upright lotuses, and flaming jewel.