Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Textiles (90)

This is a Japanese fukusa, a gift cover with the design of the “Eight Views of Omi”. In the beginning of the 16th century, eight scenic spots in Omi (Shiga, Japan) were selected by closely following the Chinese “The Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers”...

Japanese antique fukusa, a gift cover embroidered with "The Old Couple of Takasago" on wool (rasha, felt like), padded and lined with orange crepe silk, Meiji period (1868-1912).

The story of the old couple, Jo and Uba, came from the Noh play, Takasago, which was written during the Muromachi period (1336-1573) by Zeami. Jo and Uba were spirits who resided in an old pine tree which was two trees that grew together over the years...

This is an old silk fukusa from Meiji period (1868-1912). This type of fukusa is a covering placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony. Lined with a deep red crepe silk, this fukusa is almost in perfect condition.

Pine trees are considered as sacred in Japan. Here, an ancient pine tree is mostly done with the gold couching, overlaying of threads (wrapped in gold) rather than going in and out of the base fabric...

There is no visible image of God in Japanese Shinto religion. For this reason, people find the spirit of God in their surroundings, especially in nature. In the noh play “Takasago”, an old couple is seen together on the beach of Takasago (today’s Hyogo prefecture) sweeping pine needles under the trees. The old man Jo and old woman Uba are the spirits of the pine trees that were grown in Takasago and Sumiyoshi. The two trees are located far away but they are together with their spirits...

Thick cotton, Katazome stencil dye, aizome Japanese indigo dye with beni flowers. 70 1/2" x 13". The width changes to 12 1/2 after 39 1/2" where the fabric is torn. One 1/2" round stain (at 20 inches from torn end). Weakened at the seam (visible in some area from reverse side).

Hand stitched Japanese short jacket, 36" wide x 33" long.

Large antique furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth), aizome Japanese indigo dye decorated in sashiko stitches on four corners. 57 1/4" x 61 1/4"

The idea of a Fukusa gift cover comes from the old Japanese tradition of gift presentation. Fukusa began to be decorative as well as practical in the Edo period (1600 to 1868). The appropriate design was chosen for the occasion; for seasonal, ceremonial and later, time of grief when Japan started to face battles again, with the foreign countries this time...

Fukusa, Japanese Gift Cover, Pine, Bamboo and Plums on Fans: This type of fukusa is a covering placed over a gift at the time of a gift-giving ceremony such as "Yui-noh" which is held prior to a wedding. This is an elegant old satin silk Fukusa in excellent condition. It is not as shiny as it looks in photos. The lining is an old, red (light red color, not orange as it appears in some photos) crepe silk with padding on the rims...

The theme on this fukusa (Japanese gift cover) is “Kin ki Sho ga”, four accomplishments of noblemen. For a man to be well balanced and eventually become a good leader, practicing (and become good at) of “Kin ki Sho ga” was encouraged during their leisure time; ‘Kin’ (Jp. Koto, string music instrument), ‘ki’ (jp. ‘Go’, Chinese chess), ‘sho’ (calligraphy) and ‘ga’ (painting). This started in China and was brought back to Japan by traveling monks studying Buddhism...

Antique Japanese fukusa (gift cover), Yuzen-zome (paste regist dye) on silk kabe-ori (coarse crepe silk), early 1900s.

For a man to be a well balanced nobleman, there were requirements to be filled. 'Kin Ki Sho Ga', the four accomplishments of gentlemen, were chosen at an early time in China, practicing Kin (koto, music instrument), ki (go, Chinese chess), sho (calligraphy) and ga (painting)...

Beautiful Shusu (satin silk) Uchikake kimono from the Meiji period (1868 - 1912). All hand sewn with embroidery and gold couching work - overlaying of threads (real gold wrapped around thread) rather than going in and out of the base fabric.

The dimensions are 50 inches between from tip to tip of the sleeves, 60 inches long and 29 and half for the sleeve length. All the edges and openings are generously stuffed with raw silk...

This is an old silk satin obi in maru obi style (design runs on both sides from one end to the other). This obi was probably made from a uchikake gown. It is very soft and feather light with soft padding inside...

Antique Japanese men’s silk juban, an undergarment worn under a kimono. The dimensions: 51 ½” across and 53” from shoulder to bottom hem.

Please see Trocadero#38274 for details.

Unique old Japanese yogi (kimono-shaped futon bed cover) from Kaga, a weeping willow tree with a butterfly family crest, 57" x 72", Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Kaga, located in today's Kanazawa prefecture area, was known as "Kaga One-million Koku", the wealthiest domain next to the Tokugawa Shogun family during the Edo period (1603-1868). Each domain was assessed its wealth measured by "koku." Most samurai received stipends in koku. One koku was equal to the amount of rice to feed a m...

A beautiful hand painted Uchikake kimono with pine trees and rocks in sumi-e black ink (dye) style, a symbol of winter, New Year and the longevity. The fabric is Shioze silk (thicker than regular silk), not shiney as satin silk. Very well preserved; no stains. It is evenly discolored to a creamy color and still wearable. Circa, late Meiji to early Showa, 1900 to 1940.

Dimensions: 51 inches (sleeve to sleeve) x 71 inches long

Japanese Kesa, buddhist priests' robe, silk brocades, excellent condition. Circa early 1900 to 1940. Dimensions: 46" x 75"