National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

As far as existing works are concerned, the fan shape (as it is called so today) was adopted as the shape of the Keman (an ornament for a Buddhist ritual article) in the Heian period, but the shape of a flower garland (almost like the garland was woven using real flowers) appeared in the Kamakura period. These two types became the mainstream thereafter. This garland shaped Keman is similar to the original Keman thought to have been derived from a garland woven using real flowers in ancient India. These six pieces of copper Shuji-Keman are held in the Kyuzo (old storehouse) in Hyozu Taisha. They can be described as the combined shape of a fan and a flower garland and downward facing lotus flowers placed in several layers form the fan shaped flower garland. A hanging ring is attached on the top center and some ornaments are also hung from the bottom edge. There is also a Shuji (Sanskrit word) representing Kongokai Dainichi with a boat-shaped halo surrounded by flames on a lotus flower shaped base. On both sides of the halo, the Agemaki (hair style) is presented as if it is the Tengai (canopy) of the Shuji. The surface and back have the same sentences. They are generally quite large and have a dignified style. According to the techniques and styles, they are believed to have been made at the very end of the Kamakura period.