Sutra Container

From the museum

This is a portable container once used to preserve a miniature Buddhist sacred text. Created by hammering the reverse, high-relief designs on both the front and back of the case depict a peaceful pond where young boys are holding giant lotus flowers in their hands, and a pair of mandarin ducks are swimming. Probably the playful boys represent newly reborn souls in the Pure Land. This is a portable container once used to preserve a miniature Buddhist sacred text, particularly useful for traveling Buddhist pilgrims.

The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0