Itsukushima Shrine: Box for Heike Nokyo 嚴島神社 平家納経 経箱（複製）

Official explanation

Itsukushima Shrine: Box for Heike Nokyo

The set of ornamental sutra scrolls known as the Heike Nokyo was donated to Itsukushima Shrine in 1164 by the Taira clan, led by Taira no Kiyomori (1118–1181). The 33 scrolls that comprise the set were contained in a rectangular, three-layered box with a platform-like base. Made of copper patinated to achieve a lacquer-like, deep brown color, the box is almost as elaborately decorated as its contents. The slightly convex lid features a round image of dragons fashioned out of gold and clouds made of silver. The dragons are portrayed paying their respects in front of a gorinto (five-tiered stupa), a type of Buddhist pagoda. On the sides, a total of eight golden dragons are depicted in flight, each holding a kind of wish-fulfilling jewel that appears regularly in Buddhist imagery. The generous use of precious metals on the box conveys the wealth and power of Kiyomori’s Taira clan, while the dragons and Buddhist themes express their beliefs. The box displayed here is a 1925 reproduction. The original is a designated National Treasure and is only exhibited on special occasions.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.