Unknown Maker, Japanese

This textile design is composed of rows of medallions or roundels featuring paulownia flower and dragon images. Dragons were associated with the East, one of the four quadrants of the universe, and were one of the four sacred creatures representing these realms. They also became associated with the imperial institution of Buddhism in Japan, mainly because of their vigilant character. On textiles, dragons are often teamed with flowers, such as the paulownia, another motif associated with the imperial family.