Japanese Textile Art

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DESCRIPTION: This is a very rare, pre-1850s "Hanten," a kimono that served as an overcoat for working or leisure ware for craftsmen, farmers and artisans. It has been hand woven of very high quality, pure white hemp that was bleached and aged for a year. It seems to have been cultivated in fields from the time of its introduction to Japan. Bleaching produced a lustrous white fabric that figured importantly as a ground for dyed and painted fabrics – luxury fabrics whose use was restricted to the wealthy in the summer months. After the fabric had been aged, the rice paste resist process or "Tsutsugaki" was applied to both sides of the fabric. This technique has a spontaneity not found in most other textile designs. The Flying Crane featured on the upper back of the Hanten was finely detailed, in this manner, against the dark indigo of the Hanten. The Indigo background itself has to be re-dyed many times in order to achieve the deep blue that has been accomplished in this Hanten.

The design of the Flying Crane, "Tsuru," provides a bold contrast with the deep indigo blue of the background. The Crane has traditionally been considered a sign of good fortune. It has often been paired with the tortoise and the sun to indicate long life - it is said that it takes the Crane 1000 years to fly to the sun. In the feudal past, it was used to indicate victory in battle and it has also been associated with happy occasions. Because of its popularity, it is the symbol most often used in Japanese fine and applied arts.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE TEXTILE: Original Merchant's Hanten or everyday kimono overcoat.

APPROXIMATE DATE OR PERIOD: Pre-1850, Edo Era (1615-1867)

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: Finely bleached and aged Hemp that has been decorated using the Freehand Paste-Resist Dyeing technique that is a freely drawn design method that requires that each color be applied separately, while all others are 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 again in the local river water. The indigo of Japan used in this Hanten comes from the Japanese indigo plant, of the polygonaceae family. It was traditionally believed that the smell of this dye was helpful in warding off insects and, because of its ready availability, it was an indispensable color in every day Japanese clothing - more widely used than any other. Extraordinarily rare and in excellent condition.

FINISHED SIZE: 49" across x 54" tall

PRESENTATION: Dramatic art work to be wall hung or framed; or, in extraordinary circumstances, worn.

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: $3800.00

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