A rake and broom under a pine tree belongs to Joe and Uba from the Noh play "Takasago". Their souls are said to reside in a pine tree which has two pine trees tangled and grown together to become one. They symbolize longevity and harmonious marriage. "Tsuru-Kame", a crane and a long tailed tortoise also symbolize longevity. Here, a crane is nesting on eggs.

With the elements for "fidelity, unfailing devotion, prosperity and longivity" combined together as a "shima dai" (island stand), this created the image of Mt. Horai. Mt. Horai is an imaginary island from Chinese legend, it is the adobe for supernatural beings where everybody lives happily. Shimadai is still used today for the traditional Japanese wedding ceremony.

Without a word spoken, this fukusa conveys a strong desire of the giver for a good marriage. The condition is excellent and it was probably a treasure to someone. Over 100 years later, this fukusa is still beautiful and will make an unforgetable gift. This style of fukusa, embroidered on blue satin (shusu) was popular from the mid Edo(1603-1867) to early/mid Meiji period (1898-1912). The tassels are silk (and some with silver coated paper/threads) and very pretty; the green beads (old glass?) pick up the green color from the fukusa. The liner is red crepe (chirimen) silk, early Meiji, 25" x 30". This fukusa is appropriate for weddings and New Years.