“Flower Garland” with a Scene of the Butterfly Dance

木製彩色胡蝶舞図華鬘

At a glance — Metalwork · Muromachi period, 16th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category: Metalwork
Period: Muromachi period, 16th century
Date: 1501–1600
Held by: Tokyo National Museum
Location: Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID: cobas-71855

Find more

Same period: Muromachi metalwork →
At this museum: All 1632 works here →

This ornament is from Nyūtsuhime Shrine, located near the sacred Mount Kōya. Similar in shape to [keman] (“flower garlands”) hung inside Buddhist temples, it depicts two boys performing the Butterfly Dance. Scholars believe someone had presented this ornament to the shrine as an offering in the hope that their prayers would be answered.

— Museum description: Tokyo National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Designation: Important Cultural Property (重要文化財), Government of Japan
Catalogue ID: cobas-71855 (permanent)
Official record: Japan Search — jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-71855
Holder's collection: ColBase — Tokyo National Museum
Photograph: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0. CC BY 4.0 licence

Cite this page: ““Flower Garland” with a Scene of the Butterfly Dance（木製彩色胡蝶舞図華鬘）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-71855. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/flower-garland-with-a-scene-of-the-butterfly-dance/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.

Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)

Genre: Metalwork
Material: Wood with pigment
Category: Applied arts:Religious objects:Buddhism:Ornamental objects
Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
員数: 1面
分類: 金工
種別: 工芸:宗教・信仰用具:仏教:荘厳具
品質形状: 木製、彩色

Also at the Tokyo National Museum More →

National Treasure

Shiketsu (Posts Erested at Four Corners of Alter to Rope off Sanctuary), Gilt bronze

独鈷

Metalwork · Heian, 12th centuryTNM

National Treasure