A fine silk uchishiki altar cloth featuring a family crest created by very fine couched metallic embroidery. Good condition, with several stains. 56" x 30". It is said that the Buddha was reluctant to accept images of himself, as he did not like to be venerated as a person. Therefore, to symbolise the Buddha, one used mainly the Eight-Spoked Wheel and the Bodhi Tree: the Eight-Spoked Dharma Wheel or 'Dharmachakra' (Sanskrit) symbolises the Buddha's turning the Wheel of Truth or Law (dharma = truth/law, chakra = wheel).