Tenjukoku Shūchō (Tenjukoku Embroidery)

The Tenjukoku Embroidery is the oldest embroidery relic in Japan, created in the 7th century during the Asuka period, and is currently in possession of the Chūgū-ji Temple in Ikaruga Town, Nara Prefecture.

This craftwork, made by Princess Tachibana no Ōiratsume, the consort, in mourning for the death of Prince Shōtoku, signifies “a hanging scroll depicting the state of Tenjukoku, where Prince Shōtoku was believed to have passed away into the next life.”

The Tenjukoku Embroidery is speculated to represent the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, where Amitabha Buddha resides.

Originally, it was made up of two scrolls, each measuring 2 meters in height and 4 meters in width, connected side by side. However, only fragments remain today, which are framed and measure 88.8 centimeters in height and 82.7 centimeters in width.

The embroidery features inscriptions of four characters each, and it is estimated that the original scroll had 400 characters embroidered on it.

The inscriptions include the following contents:

  • The death of Prince Shōtoku’s mother and Prince Shōtoku himself.
  • An inference from the Prince’s words during his lifetime that he would have been reborn in the Tenjukoku.
  • The wish of Prince Shōtoku’s consort, Princess Tachibana no Ōiratsume, to visually depict the state of that realm, leading to the creation of this piece.

The Tenjukoku Embroidery plays a significant role in the ancient Buddhist art of Japan.

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    Our Feelings For Kakejiku

     The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
    peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
    culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
    so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
    However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
    through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
    religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
    countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
    understandably is a “kakejiku.”
     The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
    alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
    express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
    aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
    ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
    Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
     The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
    in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
    decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
    Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
    love kakejiku someday.

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    Company Profile
    syaoku.jpg(120220 byte)

    Name Art Nomura

    President Tatsuji Nomura

    Founded1973

    Established1992

    Address7-23 Babadori, Tarumi-ku, Kobe city,
    Hyougo Prefecture, 655-0021, Japan


    Capital10 million yen

    URLhttp://nomurakakejiku.com

    Our Business

     Art Nomura is an art dealer which produces kakejiku (hanging scrolls). We mount many paintings and calligraphic works in kakejiku in my factory. Kakejiku are our main product. We also remount and repair old or damaged kakejiku. We share the traditional Japanese art of kakejiku with people all over the world.


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    Access Map

     The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
    peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
    culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
    so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
    However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
    through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
    religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
    countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
    understandably is a “kakejiku.”
     The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
    alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
    express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
    aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
    ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
    Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
     The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
    in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
    decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
    Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
    love kakejiku someday.

    (or press ESC or click the overlay)