The <i>Jodai-gire</i> parallel the silks of the T'ang Chinese period. Most of the extant textiles from this period are in the collections of Horyu-ji and the Shoso-in Treasure Hall of the Todai-ji; in 1982 these collections were examined. T'ang Chinese textiles were copied by the Japanese, and the historical links with China that contributed to this development of the Japanese textiles are discussed. The earliest patterns show evidence of Sassanian/Persian origins. The techniques of weaving and dyeing, the production and processing of fibers, and the evolving changes in the design are discussed. -- AATA