Japanese Textile Art

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DESCRIPTION: This unusual dark teal blue Fukusa, or formal gift cover, has been hand woven in Shioze Silk, a hard edged silk that is very strong and not commonly found in old Japan. The design has been freely drawn in the paste resist dyeing technique of “Tsutsugaki” which entailed painting out the design in rice paste each time a new color was added to the pattern It is a very laborious and time consuming process favored by the upper classes when they commissioned their gift cover from famous artisans. The background color has been achieved through the use of the Japanese indigo plant of the polygonaceac family. Indigo was an indispensable feature of Japanese art and clothing as it reflected the spirit of quietude. The hand painted Fukusa features a Haiku or celebratory poem while the box features the artist’s signature and seal. Hand painting Kanji characters on fabric was a difficult task -- to accomplish it as beautifully as this has been done is remarkable.

All 4 original tassels are included, tied in the era in which the Fukusa was completed.

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: Meiji Era (1868-1912), before the turn of the century

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: Pure hand woven Shioze Silk, hand painted 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: 13" square, 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 which would also make an extraordinary pillow.

PRICE: $650

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