No. 2371. CATALOGUE OF BUDDHIST ART— CASANOWICZ 337 



the ceremony it is drunk by those present — a kind of a lamaist 

 eucharist. The custom of using skulls as holy vessels, or even as 

 eating bowls, is a very old one in Asia. Height, 9$ inches; diameters, 

 8 and 6| inches. The specimen in the Museum came from Kum- 

 bum, Tibet. (Cat. No. 130384, U.S.N.M.) 



275. Prayer banners (Chinese, yen-Tcou-fo, or tong hqan). — Consist- 

 ing of five brass figurines holding small suspended banners of cloth. 

 They are set up on the altar during recital of prayers for the souls 

 of the dead, especially for the souls of those who failed to receive 

 burial. Their number probably corresponds to the five earthly 

 (manushi) Buddhas of the present age (kalpa), see p. 296, note 1). 

 Height, 15| inches. Shanghai, China. (Plate 83, Cat. No. 158303, 

 U.S.N.M.) 



276. Pair of prayer wands (Chinese, yen-kou tsi-tao). — Made of 

 copper. Used in reciting prayers for the souls of the dead. They 

 are placed crosswise one over the other. Length, 7£ inches. Shang- 

 hai, China. (Cat. No. 158310, U.S.N.M.) 



277. Scent sprinkler— -Made of white metal hi form of a long- 

 necked narrow vase. Used at Buddhist funerals. Height, 14^ 

 inches. Ceylon. (Cat. No. 154975, U.S.N.M.) 



278. Temple sword. — On one side of the blade is incised a winding 

 dragon, on the other a vajra (dorje). The scabbard is red and gilt 

 lacquered, crossed by bands in red and black. The hilt is covered 

 with shark skin and set on either side with bronze dragons. The 

 lower end of the scabbard and the head of the hilt are framed in a 

 marine animal (lobster?) of bronze. A sword is placed on the altar 

 in front of the celebrant hi the worship of Fudo (see above No. 157). 

 Length, 45 inches. Japan. (Cat. No. 154969, U.S.N.M.) 



279. Temple sword. — On one side of the blade is incised a dragon 

 winding round a vajra (dorje), on the other, a vajra. The scabbard 

 is decorated in cloisonne enamel on a blue ground with rosettes 

 alternating in pale green and crimson red, with other floral designs 

 between them. The hilt, which is in shape of a vajra, is decorated 

 in champleve enamel. Used in the worship of Fudo (No. 157). 

 Length, 23 inches. Japan. (Cat. No. 154968, U.S.N.M.) 



280. Japanese prayer book. — Folded. This prayer book comes 

 from the famous temple Mis-kru-saw in Japan. The temple is a 

 resort for invalids, particularly for those having affections of the 

 eye, and the prayers contained in this book are for special use in 

 the temple. Japan. (Cat. No. 130676, U.S.N.M.) 



281. Temple drum. — Hung in a lacquered wooden frame set on a 

 four-legged support. On the flattened faces of the drum are painted 

 in gold lacquer a bird and leaves. Drums or bells are put up in front 

 of Buddhist temples, on which the priests strike to announce the 



27177— 21— Proc.N.M. vol.59 22 



