Keman


Keman, is a Buddhist ritual decoration, placed hanging on the beam of the inner sanctuary before the enshrined Buddha, in the main hall of the temple.
As its Sanskrit name suggests, it originated as a term for fresh flowers strung together and tied in a loop, but became a name for such implements as used to pay respect to the dead, and eventually signified ritual implements ornamenting the inner sanctuary. Other materials used for making it are oxhide, wooden boards, or threads.
The design may feature karyobinga, or use foliage scroll-work combined with the hōsōge, lotus, or peony.
A well-known example is the keman from the Golden Hall of Chūson-ji in Northern Japan, designated National Treasure.

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