“Keman” plaques, decorative objects hung in pairs near the altars of Buddhist temples, are shaped like gently indented lima beans, with their concave side placed upward. They were probably introduced as a substitute for garlands of fresh flowers which were placed before the altar as votive offerings. In fact, the Japanese word keman is a translation of the Sanskrit word meaning flower garland. The earliest record of keman in Japan dates from the 7th century and does not mention whether they were made of flowers or of some other material. Richly ornamented keman are an integral part of the interior decoration of Buddhist temples, where they are generally suspended from columns or from the outer edges of the canopy above the altar platform. In some cases, the keman have strings of miniature bells, lotus flowers or wheels of the law hanging from the bottom rim. (See Figure 5 in “Object as Insight: Japanese Buddhist Art & Ritual” from the Katonah Museum of Art.) Condition is excellent, with only normal wear consistent with age and usage, but the hangers are missing. Although keman were meant to displayed in pairs, they are rarely found together as such. Dimensions: 12 (31 cm) wide, 13” (33 cm) high to top of loop.