Dragon Roundel Fragment

A fragment of a silk brocade with a medalion containing an archaic style dragon. The dragon, in profile, has two horns, a gaping mouth, and an extended tongue, three claws, flames, and an expansive tail that curls around the body of the dragon. The  paper based brocading is called kinran. It was invented in China in the 9th century but later imported to Japan where it is prevalent till this day.