Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles (5)

Large, almost square fukusa, gift cover, made of dark blue silk satin, silk embroidery in a variety of stitches, gold-thread embroidery, all hand-made, of the highest quality. To be used for gift giving at an important occasion. The gift wrap is as important as the gift itself and this fukusa is symbolically very auspicious and important.

Fukurokuju, one of the seven gods of good fortune (shichifukujin), sits on the ground, painting the characters FUKU and ROKU on a scroll, intending to write ‘fukurokuju’. Fukurokuju of course refers to his own name, but also contains three characters with auspicious meanings. Next to him stands a white vase holding three peacock feathers. A minogame (turtle) keeps him company.

The embroidery is done in different stitches, creating relief and texture to the different components of the image.

Back is plain red crepe silk.

Each rounded corner holds a small tassel of thin, red silk threads.

Japan, Meiji era, late 19th century

H 29.8 x W 27.25 inches

Tiny hole in the blue satin, small damages in the silk embroidery on the back of the turtle, silk threads lost in one eye of Fukurokuju, some facial hair came loose, stains and discolorations on the back. All in all in fabulous condition considering age and usage.

Almost square fukusa, or ceremonial cover, made of silk, hand-decorated in yuzen dye technique (mineral colors and gold flakes) and with gold thread embroidery. Image of two open folding fans, connected with red noshi-threads. On the top fan are chrysanthemums along a stream; the bottom fan is decorated with cranes flying above pine trees near the sea. The fans are outlined in gold thread.

The reverse is red silk, decorated with peonies in brocade weave.

Tassels in the four corners, made of red and cream-colored twisted silk thread

The image of this fukusa is filled with auspicious symbols and so the cover would be used on a day of celebration.

Japan, Meiji or Taisho era, early 20th century

H 26 x W 25.5 in.

Brown spots in the lower area and folding creases, consistent with use and storage

Almost square fukusa or ceremonial cloths, with design of a family crest with central flower surrounded by wisteria. Flowers embroidered in gold thread onto a deep blue satin ground. Reverse is red crepe silk. In each of the corners a green tassel with Chinese knot. Japan, Meiji era, ca. 1900

H 29 x W 27 inches.

Few unobstrusive stains on reverse, otherwise fine condition

Almost square fukusa or gift cover, with hand-painted (yuzen dye-technique) and embroidered (silk, god and silver thread) decoration of a garden landscape around a house in spring. Possibly a scene from the Tale of Genji.
Reverse of the cover is a bright red silk cloth decorated in brocade weave with cranes, chrysanthemums, bamboo, pine and shippo design.
Silk tassels. Japan, Meiji era, probably early 20th century.

H 26 ½ x W 25 inches.

One tassel missing, one sharp central fold bending some silver threads, otherwise fine condition.

Image of a heron in water in rice-paste-resist dying technique (tsutsugaki) on cotton. The color showing are coffee brown for the background and different shades of brown with white for the heron. The image mounted as a hanging scroll, which has been cut to fit into a frame. Meiji period, late 19th century. Mingei.
Cotton image: 11 ¾ x 8 ¾ in. Frame: 36 ¼ x 13 in.
Excellent condition.