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

　　This is a two-tiered box thought to have been handed down to Murōji Temple in Nara. Large reverse waves are drawn on the side of the inner box with an enclosing lid and eight demon shapes standing on a reef in the sea are drawn on the top of the lid and seven demon shapes and a child shape are drawn on the back of the lid. The reef and the sea are drawn on the side of the lid continuously from the top of the lid. The inside is coated with vermilion lacquer and creates an air of mystery. The outer box has the style of a Chinese chest and the Five Deities of Kasuga Shrines riding sacred deers and them dependents are drawn on the side. Kasuga Ninomiya (Buddhist form: Yakushi), the Twelve Heavenly Generals and Sannomiya (Buddhist form: Jizō), the Ten Kings, their clerks Shimyō and Shiroku are drawn on the front. On the observer’s left, Kasuga Ichinomiya (Buddhist form: Shakamuni), the Four Heavenly Kings and the Twelve Heavenly Deities and on the observer’s right, Shinomiya, Wakamiya and Jūnigū are drawn, respectively. The background is a solid color. Three sacred jewels on the lid side confirm the theory that sacred jewels used to be held in this article. Although the lid surface has been severely damaged, it is assumed that Dragon God holding a sacred jewel was drawn. Moreover, eight men wearing Japanese official court dresses with dragons on their back are drawn on the lid back along with three dragons and the gods of wind and thunder. It can be said that these images represent the Eight Dragon Kings.
　　It is commonly believed that this article is a box for holding sacred jewels and according to the subject of images drawn on the surface, it is estimated to have a close connection with the faith of Kasuga and Dragon God. Although the faith of Dragon God over Kasuga is complicated and the fifth deity of Kasuga, Wakamiya, is also said to have appeared in the form of small snake, there is no doubt that it was based on the faith of Dragon God.