Used paper kimono worn during Buddhist rituals at Tōdaiji. Made by Mashiko Endō, out of her own paper. Given to her as a gift after it was used during a series of annual rituals. During the rituals, participating monks carry big basket torches into the hall, and thus they get blackened with soot and sparks from the fire. One way to pray to the Buddha is to put both feet, hands, head, and body on the ground, which is called "Gotai Tōuchi", and which causes the paper kimono to become marked and torn. A hand sewing needle threaded with hand twisted paper thread secures a note to the garment. The note reads: 奈良東大寺二月堂お水取り着用の紙衣 (白石和紙)(transl: Kamiko worn during the Omizutori, at Nigatsudō, Tōdaiji, Nara [Shiroishi washi])
Funding
Endangered Material Knowledge Programme
History
Session
T01
Rights owner
Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran
Cultural group
Japanese
Participants
Yūko Tokuriki, Daphne Mohajer va Pesaran
Country
Japan
Place
Shiroishi, Miyagi
Item/object
Tōdaiji kamiko
Techniques of production
sewn
Materials
Bark-paper mulberry bark, Washi
Materials alt
agar agar
Cultural context/event
Ceremony
Social group setting
Interviewer-interviewee
Temporality
Late 20th-century, worn during the series of rituals at Tōdaiji Temple in Nara that takes place every year in March