From small-scale shrines to handheld icons and votive tablets, portability has long factored into the design and reception of Buddhist art.

The article first examines the circulation of miniature icons that served as diplomatic gifts in the sixth and seventh centuries. It then turns to figurative plaques from Tang-dynasty China (618–907) that were modified for votive and architectural uses in early Japan. Lastly, the article examines the reasons underlying the enduring popularity of portable shrines in the [Japanese] archipelago.