Minneapolis Institute of Art

Cylindrical Sutra Container

Japan

Date

first half 12th century

Medium

Bronze

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

In addition to memorizing and reciting sutras, sutra copying was a way for Buddhist devotees to accrue merit. A completed sutra would be tucked into sutra container like this one to be offered and buried in a sutra mound. The container is made to resemble a pagoda, topped with a finial called a sōrin and a wish granting jewel-shaped knob. Small birds perch along the edge of the cover. It is unknown what kind of sutra was stored in this container, but an inscribed date on the body indicates that it was made or buried in 1127. Japan, Asia

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