Also written 将来品. Buddhist implements, statues shōraibutsu 請来仏, or writings brought back to Japan by emissaries or students from their travels or studies abroad. Derived from the term shōeki shōrai 請益将来 [to bring back (religious) objects given by the (Chinese) master to whom (the Japanese emissaries) requested instruction]. It designates in particular those pieces brought back from Sui and Tang dynasty China during the 7th-10th century. In the broadest sense of the term, however, the term shōraihin is used synonymously with toraihin 渡来品 (toraibutsu 渡来仏 for Buddhist statues) and less frequently with *denraihin 伝来品, indicating any foreign objects brought back to Japan, and including ink paintings and tea utensils imported during the 15th-17th century. See *kowatari 古渡.