Skip to content
MASTERPIECESof Japan
Photograph of Tenjukoku Shūchō (Embroidered Curtain of the Land of Heavenly Longevity)

Tenjukoku Shūchō (Embroidered Curtain of the Land of Heavenly Longevity)

天寿国繡帳

National TreasureEmbroidered curtain — Asuka – Nara period

National Treasure

Tenjukoku Shūchō (Embroidered Curtain of the Land of Heavenly Longevity)

天寿国繡帳

Type
Embroidered curtain
Period and date
Asuka – Nara period, 7th century (Asuka period)
Material
Silk
Collection:
Chūgū-ji

03 — Overview

An embroidered curtain which, according to its inscription, was commissioned by Princess Tachibana no Ōiratsume in mourning for Prince Shōtoku. Only joined fragments survive; the brightly coloured parts date from the Asuka period, the faded ones from the Kamakura period. Regarded as Japan's oldest surviving embroidery. Chūgū-ji, Nara.

04 — Object data

Designation
National TreasureSource ↗
Type
Embroidered curtain
Category
Textiles
Period
Asuka – Nara period
Date
7th century (Asuka period)
Material
Silk
Technique
Embroidery
Dimensions
88.8 × 82.7 cm（額装）
Collection
Chūgū-ji
05 — Detail · Tenjyukoku embroidery · By TOKYODO · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

10 — Gallery

12 — Collection

Chūgū-ji

13 — Related objects

Photograph of Robe (Kosode) with Shells and Sea Grasses

Robe (Kosode) with Shells and Sea Grasses

小袖 貝と海草模様

Kosode robe

Photograph of Kosode with Pine-bark Lozenges and Bamboo

Kosode with Pine-bark Lozenges and Bamboo

白練緯地松皮菱竹模様小袖

Kosode (tsujigahana dyeing) — Edo· Important Cultural Property

Photograph of Gilt-bronze Kanjō Banner

Gilt-bronze Kanjō Banner

金銅灌頂幡

Buddhist banner (ban) — Asuka – Nara· National Treasure

14 — Sources & references

  1. [1]
    天寿国繡帳

    文化庁 国指定文化財等データベース · Government · Supports: Designation, Name

  2. [2]
    Chūgū-ji

    中宮寺 · Museum · Supports: Collection, Description

  3. [3]
    Wikidata Q11442553

    Wikidata · Database · Supports: Name, Date, Maker, Collection · Accessed 2026-09-25

  4. [4]
    天寿国繡帳

    Wikipedia（日本語版） · Encyclopedia · Supports: Description · Accessed 2026-09-25

  5. [5]
    Tenjukoku Shūchō Mandala

    Wikipedia (English) · Encyclopedia · Supports: Description · Accessed 2026-09-25

  6. [6]
    File:Tenjyukoku embroidery.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  7. [7]
    File:Fragments Tenjyukoku embroidery.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  8. [8]
    File:Tejukoku turtle 1.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  9. [9]
    File:Tejukoku turtle 2.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

15 — Image credits

  1. Tenjyukoku embroidery

    Creator / Photographer
    TOKYODO
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Tenjyukoku embroidery.jpg ↗
    Credit
    Plates of world fine-arts, vol.6, Tokyodo Co., ACE1944, March
    Licence
    Public domain

  2. Fragments Tenjyukoku embroidery

    Creator / Photographer
    ReijiYamashina
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Fragments Tenjyukoku embroidery.jpg ↗
    Credit
    Own work
    Licence
    CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗

  3. Tejukoku turtle 1

    Creator / Photographer
    Unknown authorUnknown author
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Tejukoku turtle 1.jpg ↗
    Credit
    Tokyo National Museum
    Licence
    Public domain

  4. Tejukoku turtle 2

    Creator / Photographer
    Unknown authorUnknown author
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Tejukoku turtle 2.jpg ↗
    Credit
    Tokyo National Museum
    Licence
    Public domain
All image credits →