2-728-333 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Ewer (Shigigata Suibyo), 1185-1333. Ewers such as this one are known as Shigi-shaped for their association with the temple Chogosonshiji located near Mount Shigi west of the city of Nara. It once contained water for use in ceremonies conducted before Buddhist deities. Known as kundika in Sanskrit, water vessels were originally one of 18 items monks needed to have to perform their daily duties.