
Silk
It is believed that this robe belonged to the Japanese Master Shun’oku Myoha. It was created in China during the Yuan dynasty, and was later listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The gold printed silk robe is made up of nine vertical strips, divided into square and rectangular patches representing rice fields. The patches are made of thin silk on a purple background and have vine and scroll leaf patterns. The narrow strips with light and dark green leaves represent the boundaries of the rice fields. The regular pattern results in a tranquil and elegant composition.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Artifacts, page 285.