This black Japanese Kamuikotan figure stone represents a figure often seen at Buddhist temples—Kannon, Goddess of Mercy. Kannon is typically depicted as a slender statue in temples and gained popularity because she often answered prayers and created miracles. The stone and its base sit on a light color fabric that symbolically represent the pedestal usually associated with such figure stones. Two sculpted, gold-colored, gingko leaves complement the stone not only in form and color, but also symbolically. Gingko leaves and trees have a long cultural history in Asia as representing peace and hope. They are resting on a brown fabric mat signifying soil in which the tree is growing. The elements of this display beautifully complement each other to form a message much greater than the individual objects themselves. This display was created by Thomas S. Elias as part of a series of displays using fabric in place of display tables.