This Ema (絵馬) plaque comes from Nigatsu-dō (二月堂) of Tōdai-ji 東大寺, and features artwork by the modern Japanese painter Suda Kōta (須田剋太).
The front of the plaque depicts 「椿花」 (Tsubaki – Camellia Flower) rendered in Suda Kōta’s bold and expressive style. The composition is strikingly modern: thick black outlines define the strong, angular petals, while flat fields of vivid red and white radiate from a golden-yellow center. The natural cedar grain of the wood remains visible beneath the paint, grounding the dynamic image in the warmth of traditional material.
The camellia holds seasonal and symbolic meaning in Japan. Blooming in late winter and early spring—around the time of the Omizutori rites at Nigatsu-dō—the tsubaki represents quiet strength, purity, and resilience in the cold. Its dignified form and rich color harmonize with the solemn yet powerful atmosphere of Nigatsu-dō’s ancient ceremonies.
