Ohi (Side Stole)

A Tang Dynasty Stole Brought Back by Kukai

The Ohi (Side Stole) (横被) is a Tang-dynasty stole owned by Kyoogokokuji (Toji) in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, and kept at the Kyoto National Museum, which in 1953 was designated a National Treasure.

The Agency for Cultural Affairs records a single stole 180.0 centimetres long and 86.3 centimetres wide, owned by Kyoogokokuji.

According to the Agency, Kukai is said to have received it from his teacher Huiguo.

Construction

According to the Agency, the main panel is now brown twill with large floral patterns in two widths, with purple twill of Chinese floral pattern, the same as the lining of the companion kesa, used for the border and back. The back, also two widths, has one ring motif in mixed colours dominated by black.

The strips and border twill appear to be original, while the lining is a later replacement.

What to Look For

The Agency notes that a twelfth-century record of the New Year rites describes it as kept in the lacquered kesa box with sea-and-shore designs, itself a National Treasure. Names for the kesa vary in sources such as the Toboki, with no settled view.

The Agency values the tsuzure-ori weave of the kesa and the large floral twill of this stole as showing Tang textiles, and as objects brought back by Kobo Daishi.

Visiting the Ohi (Side Stole)

The stole is kept at the Kyoto National Museum and is not always on display; check the museum's schedule.