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

Shishibanesuriita is a wooden printing block that has Shishi no marumon (lion patterns) on both surfaces and was used for printing patterns by placing a cloth on the surface to which ink is applied.

Originally, the Bane has patterns carved into a round shape and just like the patterns in this Banesuriita, it has patterns of lions (Shishi) and bears that wildly blow out (exhale) clouds from their mouths. Patterns of birds and animals that are carved into a circle were used for costumes worn by lower class officials at the time of court music and dance from the Heian period. A costume used for Sharie in the Kamakura period, which has been handed down to To-ji Temple in Kyoto, has printed patterns of bears. In addition, Bane no hou (costume) from the Muromachi period are held at places such as the Tokyo National Museum (originally handed down to Amano-sha) and Koyasan Amano-sha. These costumes have ink inscriptions of "1454," which is important to presume the period when they were used. The Bane held at Amano-sha, which is 38 cm in diameter, is slightly bigger than this Bane. However, the cloud seen in this Bane is presented as if it was just a background pattern and the expression of exhaling the cloud is presented as if it was decoration for the tail. This indicates that it departed from the traditional style and has been formalized. In contrast, the patterns of lions seen in this Suriita and the bears in the one held at To-ji Temple both have a design representing those animals exhaling a cloud from their mouths and the surrounding clouds show a strong presence. Although these two represent different animals (lions and bears), the traditional style before formalization still remains. Therefore, there is a possibility that the patterns in this Shishibanesuriita may be slightly older.