Japanese Textile Art

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DESCRIPTION:

This marvelous hand painting on gorgeous hand woven and dyed Silk portrays a stylized Ukiyoe snow scene. This was a fascinating art form that flourished during the 18th through the 20th centuries. It was bold, yet refined; while also rich in color. It was typically painted by artists originally trained in the classical schools of Japanese painting which is observable here in its composition. Ukiyoe was an approach to painting that primarily illustrated the pleasure quarters and beautiful courtesans of Edo (present day Tokyo) and Kyoto, who were generally distinguishable by their heavily made up faces.

This particular work of Art has a richness of imagery that portrays a lovely courtesan dressed in her winter kimono and obi, whose status in society is also reflected through the graceful addition of decorative and elaborate hair combs and pins. There is a lasting appeal to this portrait of a woman out in the winter elements, with her snow covered parasol, pausing just outside the Tori Gate to the Shrine which is just barely discernable in the background. One can visualize her slipping gracefully through the falling night snow, past the sacred Cryptomeria ("Sugi" or Japanese Cedar), perhaps to offer her prayers for a romantic lover. In the bottom right of the composition rests the seal of the artist's pen name, which is pronounced "dough ho," in the vernacular. The opaque green of the background is very unusual and adds to the striking nature of the portrait. This was a treasured, rare, irreplaceable, and one of a kind artistic masterpiece.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE TEXTILE: The Haori is a formal Japanese Man's topcoat . A Haori formalizes an outfit in much the same way that adding a jacket creates a proper suit. The upper classes were required to wear one by the strict dress codes of Japan during the time when a display of expensive decoration was to be avoided. Because of this, the Haori adopted the most intriguing aspect of its design: the main source of decoration is on the inside of the back panel or lining. Thus, some of the most spectacular of the textile artworks created from the 16th through the 19th centuries were those intended for personal satisfaction. Although these garments served a practical purpose, it was the art that adorned the interior of each piece that made the Haori a family heirloom. Each panel was commissioned by its owner as a unique work of art. The seal appears on the lower right hand portion of the painting.

APPROXIMATE DATE OR PERIOD: Mid Meiji Era (1868 - 1911)

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: Finely hand woven Silk with an unusual puckery texture that has been hand painted using natural dyes and the "Rice Paste Resist" painting technique. The hand painting required that each color be applied separately, while all the others were painted out in the rice paste. Each time a new color was added, the rice paste had to be removed by soaking it out over and over and over again in the local river water; a time consuming and laborious process. It is in excellent condition.

FINISHED SIZE: 33" w x 27" h

PRESENTATION: Double acid-free mats in subtle shades of the Art Work have been chosen to highlight the natural dyes of the textile. The silvered wood frame with the subtle thin red lines in a scroll shape further enhances the unusual coloring of the Silk. This stunning example of heirloom Silk has been mounted in conformance with the highest standards in order to ensure a damage-free environment for its future protection.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: 9,995.00

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