noun
Buddhist decorative pendant; gilt-copper temple ornament
A specific Buddhist ritual object: a fan-shaped or circular metal decoration, often gilt copper, hung in temple inner shrines or on altar canopies. Not a general decoration term.
内陣の天蓋に華鬘が飾られていた。
A keman was hung from the canopy in the inner sanctuary.
この華鬘は鎌倉時代の作と伝えられている。
This keman is said to date from the Kamakura period.
荘厳具 is a broader term for Buddhist altar decorations, while 華鬘 refers specifically to the pendant ornament.
From Sanskrit kusumamālā (flower garland), via Chinese. Originally referred to a garland of flowers, later applied to the metal pendant used in Buddhist ritual decoration.