Japanese Textile Art

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DESCRIPTION: The Fukusa , or family gift cover, was a valuable family heirloom as the family itself designed, and commissioned famous artists, to create a work of art in their name. This is a rare, hand woven “Chirimen” Silk Fukusa that has been hand painted in the “Rice Paste Resist” technique with the addition of embroidery and liquid white gold accents.

This is an engaging scene that is dominated by the Sun (“Hi”) containing the character for “longevity.” This message is reinforced by the “Minegame” (seaweed tailed Turtle) whose back launches the Crane (“Tsuru”) in its 1000-year flight to the Sun. Emphasis on the message has been pictorially applied through the use of precious metals. Two of the elaborately tied 4 Silk Tassels, which also date from the Meiji Era, remain.

The reverse side of the Fukusa has also been woven of the rare Chirimen Silk. It is a stunning hand dyed red with the 3 striking "Shibori" cranes standing out dramatically against the background. The cranes in this configuration represent the Family Crest or "Mon." This reinforces, yet again, the message of the Fukusa regarding long life and good fortune.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE TEXTILE: A “Fukusa” is a cloth used to cover a gift that has been placed on a wooden or lacquered tray during the gift’s elaborate and formal presentation, all of which followed closely defined rules of etiquette. The practice of covering a gift was widespread in Japan before the 1900s.

APPROXIMATE DATE OR PERIOD: Early Meiji Era (1868-1912)

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: A Fukusa handwoven of a rare, crepe-like Silk, "Chirimen," whose weaving process has been lost to the Japanese for over 100 years. It has been hand painted through the Rice Paste Resist method whereby each color had to be applied separately, while the remainder of the colors were blocked out by the rice paste. The Family Crest on the reverse side features three hand stenciled “Shibori” Cranes flying in a circle, mimicking the ancient Japanese art of tie dying.

FINISHED SIZE: 15” wide x 16 ½” high (not including the tassels)

PRESENTATION: Fabulous wall hanging or framed art work. The Fukusa is actually 2 separate sides sewed together at the outer seam, with the inclusion of the tassels, making both sides worth viewing or combining into an extraordinary pillow.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: $750.00

TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental US.