Kinran Kesa Mounted Fragment

A fragment of paper based Japanese brocade. This technique is called kinran and it originated in China in the 7th century. It was later adapted and perfected by the Japanese.It consists of an overlay of gold or silver foil affixed to fine, tough paper made from mulberry bark. After the metal is burnished the sheets of paper are cut into thin strips to be supplementary woven in as threads on the loom.The result is fabric that faces as a mirror-like reflecting surface.

Tear shape medallions containg four dragons each within a cloudband border. All against a blue and yellow diagonal grid background.