dated 1816 or Bunka 12
113" x 24", 287 cm x 61 cm

This very tall, hand written banner is said to be inscribed in devotion to the Kannon Bosatsu, the bodhisattva of compassion, or as is known in Sanskrit, Avalokitesvara.

The cloth is dated to the what can be translated in the Western calendar to 1816.

Magnificently hand spun, hand woven cotton is the base for the banner and it is very soft and drapey in the hand--almost gauzy. 

Since this thing is 210 years old and had been used hard when it was made we see some overall, subtle discoloration to the cotton cloth and, of course, some stains and ingrained dirt near the two long edges.

The inscription is written by hand using sumi or soot/charcoal-based ink.

The bottom edge, especially, is tattered as is to be expected on something so ancient. The banner is so tall that it needed to be photographed with the bottom edge pooling on the floor a bit, which accounts for what might look like distortion on the photos that show this part of the flag.

It is a remarkable thing that has seen more than two centuries of history.

Recommended.