Monumental Meiji Boro in Very Fine Condition

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1920: item #412681

c. 1900, 75"/ 190.5 cm high x 70"/ 178 cm wide, This is a large and impressive boro textile; it is a fully opened futon cover of unusually large dimension. There is drama in the piece due to its sheer size, as well as due to the columnar and eccentric white stitching over the dark, late Edo/ early Meiji era cloth. There are tight eddies of running stitch all over this piece and the right central panel of light indigo with its dark, overlapped patches is a striking counterbalance to t... Click for details

Zanshi: A Textile of Remaindered Threads

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1920: item #412677

Meiji Era, c. 1910, 63" / 160 cm high x 37 1/2"/ 95 cm wide, Exceedingly subtle and very elegant of design and coloration, this three-panel textile is made from leftover threads of weaving bobbins. The beautiful striations throughout are due to the random action of tying remaindered thread together, the verso of the textile, shown, is a galaxy of tiny knots from connecting these scattered threads. Zanshi is rare and little-known even in Japan and this piece--with its muted colors and narr... Click for details

Noragi with Chuugata Patterned Arms and Komon Collar

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1920: item #412673

Early Taisho Period, c. 1915, 28 1/2"/ 72.5 cm high x 46 1/2"/ 118 cm wide, This is a wonderfully deceptive work coat, or noragi. It is deceptive in that this jacket appears simple with its clear, blue body and patterned sleeves, but in fact it is more interesting than that. Yes, the body of the coat is a toothy, handloomed cotton, beautiful in the hand. The sleeves are of a 'chuugata', or middle-figure cotton, popular in the late Edo period, and the sleeves' katazome' fabric shows 'noshi'... Click for details

A Good Sashiko Furoshiki

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1920: item #412672

Meiji or Early Taisho Era, c. 1910-1915, 52"/ 132 cm x 52"/ 132 cm, The home spun, hand loomed cotton of this furoshiki is particularly fine for its heavy hand and tight weave. The very deep indigo blue is beautifully moody and, for its age, quite even in tone. This very nice piece is in fine condition and shows two corners stitched with the 'kiku' or chrysanthemum pattern. In one corner is the circular 'mon', or family crest--in this case 'tomoe'--and in the other corner is a simplified,... Click for details

Furoshiki, Wrapping Cloth, Aizome, Meiji Era

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1920: item #403395
T-30

Indigo dyed cotton wrapping cloth, furoshiki, from late Meiji Era. The family crest stencil dyed (katazome) into the corner is "anzu-botan" (apricot-peony). L.133cm (52.25") x W.130cm (51").

Ainu Robe, "Kapara Amip", Hokkaido, Meiji Era

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1910: item #403393
T-26

The Ainu of northern Japan produced their own clothing throughout history with a variety of materials such as elm bark fibers and animal skins/furs. In later years, contact with the Japanese included trade for textiles such as indigo dyed cotton. This Meiji Era robe has a base of aizome cotton with cut-out applique in a garment known as "kapara amip" in the Ainu language, or lightweight robe. The wearer could be recognized by the unique patterns they wore that had talismanic symbolism. L.132cm ... Click for details

Sakiori, Rag Weave, Tohoku (NE Japan)

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1920: item #403348
T-21

Sakiori, or "rag weave", was a necessity of many common people in old Japan, especially those of the NE Japan (Tohoku region) which was known for its harsh climate and living conditions. This item is a late Meiji piece from the region showing wonderful color combination, and sporting a few repair patches from its long life. L.144cm(56.5") x W.34cm(13.5").

Furoshiki, Wrapping Cloth, Indigo dyed Cotton

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1920: item #403345
T-20

Furoshiki, wrapping cloth, of indigo dyed (aizome) cotton. Two corners display a "kiri" (paulownia) crest, and there is karakusa scrolling around the entire border, stenciled dyed (katazome.) Ca. late Meiji Era (1868-1912). L.142cm (56") x W.132cm (52").

Yutan, Covering Cloth, Indigo Dyed Cotton

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1910: item #403343
T-24

Indigo dyed (aizome) cotton "yutan", or covering cloth, stencil dyed with family crest of pine boughs flanking a "koto bashira", the bridge of a koto musical instrument. L.150cm (59") x W.129cm (50"). Such textiles were commissioned for use as bridal dowry pieces and covered the items taken to the new bride's home. The family crest may have been that of the bride's or groom's family, or possibly a combination of the two, depending on the rank or status of the families. Textile dyers in South... Click for details

Futon-ji, Bed Covering Cloth, Indigo, Tsutsugaki

Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles Pre 1900: item #403052
T-23

Meiji Era futon-ji; indigo dyed cotton with tsutsugaki (free-hand drawn resist) image of the Three Friends of Winter: Pine, Bamboo, and Plum. L.150cm(59") x W.128cm(50"). Such bedding covers were given as part of a bride's dowry, commissioned with auspicious images or a family crest by the bride's family. This theme of Pine, Bamboo, and Plum was especially auspicous for a newly married couple, with each element having its own characteristic way of overcoming hardship (the cold winter.) The free-... Click for details