Altar cloth

[ . BACK to DARUMA Museum TOP . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Buddhist Altar Cloth (uchishiki　打敷）




A butsudan (佛壇 or 仏壇) is a tabernacle found in religious temples and homes of Japanese and other Buddhist cultures. A butsudan is a wooden cabinet with doors that enclose and protect a religious icon, typically a statue or a mandala scroll. The doors are opened to display the icon during religious observances. A butsudan usually contains subsidiary religious items called "butsugu," such as candlesticks, incense burners, bells, and platforms for placing offerings. Some buddhist sects place "ihai", memorial tablets for deceased relatives, within or near the butsudan.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Mizuhiki & Uchishiki

The Mizuhiki is a rectangular cloth of rich brocade, which covers the front and sides of the altar table. The Uchishiki is a triangular piece of cloth, which hangs over the front of the altar table over the Mizuhiki. The cloth is also of rich brocade using gold and silver thread.

The literal translation "strike (uchi) spread out (shiki)" refers to the origin of the cloth which was "spread out" for Shakyamuni Buddha, whereupon the disciples bowed in reverence "striking" their foreheads to the ground.

The origin of the Mizuhiki and Uchishiki can be traced back to the lifetime of Shakyamuni Buddha. During the Buddha's time a custom was established of spreading out fine pieces of cloth for the Buddha to sit on when preaching to his disciples and others assembled to hear him. The cloth would be spread out and the disciples would bow in reverence to the Buddha with their foreheads touching the cloth at his feet. The cloth later came to decorate the altar tables of temples on special occasions of hearing the Buddha's teaching.
©　Vista Buddhist Temple


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::




the dragon



©　香華堂


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


Amida Hall, Amida Do 阿弥陀堂





Table Cloth with two dragons



©　冨塚刺繍


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::




©　www.wakohsha.com


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Another decoration for the Home Buddhist Altar are pictures of the Deities and Saints.
Here is one with Daruma san, for an Altar of the Soto Zen Sect.



Dogen, Shakyamuni, Daruma
道元禅師　釈迦如来　達磨大師
©　b-mori.co.jp

Click on the LINK for more!


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::


The Daruma Magazine #59 has all the details about this altar cloth.
.. Daruma Magazine ..


Orientations Magazine
Tokens of Faith:
Japanese Altar Cloths of the Edo Period
Orientations Volume 36



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

. Mizuhiki 水引 ceremonial paper strings
.


Butsudan .. 仏壇 Buddhist Family Altar

Daruma Museum, Japan

[ . BACK to World Kigo Database . ]

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::