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

Kyochitsu is an item used for wrapping a bundle of Kyokan (Buddhist sutra scrolls). Thin pieces of bamboo are woven with variously colored twisted thread by employing the Unzen technique (expressing colors from dark to pale in step-like tone gradations), however, as the surface has been severely damaged, the patterns cannot be recognized. Each of these Kyouchitsu has four edges where Hasukarakusa-mon (patterns) and Rinpo Unkei-mon (patterns) are applied in Kinran (gold brocade) style and the back side is supported by attaching back fabric in pale blue.

According to an inscription on the back fabric, they were donated by Minamoto-no- Yoritomo during the Kenkyu period (1190-1199) and repaired in December 1707 due to severe damage. The Kinran edges seem to have been replaced at the time of the repair. In addition, there are two Kyouchitsu that have the same inscription and there is a possibility that they used to constitute one item. Moreover, Butsumyokyou (N-14) and Kokin Mokuroku Shosha (N-19) were also repaired during the Houei period.

Kyouchitsu had already appeared in the Nara period and the sophisticated "Konkoumyou Saishoou Kyochitsu" with an inscription ("In 742 ….") held in the Shosoin is famous and another Kyochitsu thought to be made during the Kamakura period still remains in Jingo-ji Temple. Although the patterns seen in these two Kyoushitsu cannot be identified, the evidence shows that the woven patterns are similar to those on one held in Jingo-ji Temple. It is therefore considered that they had such striped patterns at that time.