Inner and Outer Boxes for the Kasuga Dragon Jewel

{i=>[hōju], content=>[These nested boxes in two layers are said to come from Murōji Temple in Nara. Their outer surfaces depict scenes of the five Kasuga deities and their relations adorned in the attire of nobility, and the inner surfaces have waves. The Eight Great Dragon Kings are depicted on the lid. Kasuga Shrine is deeply associated with dragon worship. It is thought that this box was created to enshrine the Treasure Jewel (J. , ) in the possession of the dragon deities.]} These are thought to be the inner and outer boxes within which a powerfully efficacious jewel was stored. The surfaces of the boxes are covered in lacquer, creating canvases for their intricate paintings in vivid colors. The inner box features the Eight Great Dragon Kings, protectors of the jewel, against a backdrop of raging waves. The outer box includes such figures as the Eight Great Dragon Kings and the human forms of the Kasuga deities riding upon deer.

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