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(Japanese phoneticization from the
(Japanese phoneticization from the Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...
''kusumamālā'' "Garland of Flowers"), 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. (revised edition; 1964 first ed.), p.132/133
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 (''hotoke''), and eventually signified ritual implements ornamenting the inner sanctuary (), corresponding to the chancel
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar, including the Choir (architecture), choir and the sanctuary (sometimes called the presbytery), at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may termi ...
of a church.
They are typically made from gilt bronze in the shape of a round fan (uchiwa
A handheld fan, or simply hand fan, is a broad, flat surface that is waved back and forth to create an airflow. Generally, purpose-made handheld fans are folding fans, which are shaped like a sector of a circle and made of a thin material (such ...
). Other materials used for making it are oxhide, wooden boards, or threads.
The design may feature karyobinga (harpy-like beings), or use foliage scroll-work (''karakusa'') combined with the '' hōsōge'' (imaginary peony-like floral pattern), lotus, or peony.
A well-known example is the ''keman'' from the Golden Hall of Chūson-ji
is a Buddhist temple in the town of Hiraizumi in southern Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It is the head temple of the Tendai sect in Tōhoku region of northern Honshu. The temple claims it was founded in 850 by Ennin, the third chief abbot of the se ...
in Northern Japan, designated National Treasure
A national treasure is a structure, artifact, object or cultural work that is officially or popularly recognized as having particular value to the nation, or representing the ideals of the nation. The term has also been applied to individuals or ...
.
Popular culture
* is the Japanese name for the wildflower " Lamprocapnos spectabilis" (also known under genusDicentra
''Dicentra'' (Ancient Greek, Greek ''dís'' "twice", ''kéntron'' "spur"), known collectively as the bleeding-hearts, is a genus containing eight species of herbaceous plant, herbaceous Flowering plant, flowering perennial plants with unique, "he ...
; common name "bleeding heart"), so named because the flower's shape resembles the ''keman'' ornament.
See also
* Phuang malaiReferences
Buddhist ritual implements Japanese art terminology {{Japan-art-stub