Japanese Textile Art

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DESCRIPTION: This is a finely hand woven Silk Fukusa that has been hand painted in 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 pale yellow background is gold without the addition of a metallic luster and was associated with Buddhism from the mid-sixth century.

This dramatic rendition of the flying Crane (“Tsuru”) and seaweed tailed Turtle (“Minogame”) within the outlines of a bright red Sun (“Hi”) all signify the same message: Longevity. Legend has it that it takes the Crane 1000 years to fly to the Sun after it has left the back of the Turtle. The backing of the Fukusa is a very sheer, finely woven gauze like Silk in a stunning solid red color.

The 4 elaborately tied Gold Tassels date from the Meiji Era and are the originals.

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. The Fukusa was a valuable family heirloom, as the family itself designed the gift cover to be a thing of beauty.

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

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: Pure hand woven Silk, hand painted, and in excellent condition. The hand tied silk tassels have been tied in the design that indicates the age in which the Fukusa was created.

FINISHED SIZE: 12 1/2" wide x 13 1/2" high, not including the tassels.

PRESENTATION: Fabulous wall hanging, framed art work or to lay casually over the back of a chair or sofa. The Fukusa is actually 2 separate sides sewed together at the outer seam with the inclusion of the tassels which also make an extraordinary pillow.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: $650

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