"Collectible" Antique Fukusa
"Collectible" Antique Fukusa
Collectible Art
Low stock: 1 left
Couldn't load pickup availability
- Ships from NY
- One-of-a-kind
- Sourced from Japan
This fukusa is likely more than 100 years old and would be a fine addition to a serious collection of Asian art.
The fabric is a dark gray silk crepe - reminiscent of textiles from the early 1900s - with an elaborately painted scene of cranes and tortoises along the seaside. There are five cranes - two perched on the rocks and three careening overhead. There are two tortoises - one larger than the other - resting on the rocks.
The rest of the scenery of waves, trees, and flowering bushes is expertly painted. Some features are embellished with delicate embroidery or with a sparkle of gold thread.
Dark gray-green tassles are sewn from each corner.
The backside is the formal, traditional red silk crepe with a beautifully embroidered crest on the corner. The crest was created with couched gold threads - difficult hand work! - and the crest itself is of crossed arrow fletching.
There are slightly darkened fold lines on the back (see last photo) - not surprising for a piece this old.
From Wikipedia:
Fukusa are a type of Japanese textile used for gift-wrapping....Fukusa are square or almost square pieces of lined fabric ranging in size from about 9–36 inches (230–910 mm) along one side. They are typically made of fine silk, and may be decorated with embroidery in auspicious designs.
The use of fukusa as a way of presenting gifts has mostly died out, lingering instead mainly in certain ritual exchanges of gifts during weddings in a few regions of Japan.
Traditionally in Japan, gifts were placed in boxes or on a wooden or lacquered tray, over which a fukusa would be draped. The choice of a fukusa appropriate to the occasion was considered an important part of the gift itself, and part of its formality. The practice of covering a gift became widespread during the Edo period (1603-1867).
The scene or motifs depicted on fukusa are chosen to indicate either the occasion for which the gift is being given, or because they are appropriate for one of the annual festivals when gifts are exchanged. The richness of the decoration of the fukusa attests to the giver's wealth and aesthetics.
Once a gift was exchanged, after being admired, the fukusa and box or tray presented with the gift are typically returned to the gift's original giver. However, before the Meiji Restoration, when gifts were presented to a high official, the fukusa was not always returned.
Width: 26"
Condition: Very Good
Fiber: Silk
Technique: Painted
Colors: Grays, Black, Peach
Motifs: Figures, Mythology, Auspicious Elements
SKU:0923fukusaFC17
Share with a Friend.











People Also Like
-
"Snowflake Bride" Wedding Kimono (Uchikake)
Vendor:RhinestonesRegular price $449.00Regular priceUnit price / per$499.00Sale price $449.00Sale -
"Obi Tatoushi" Set of Three
Vendor:Obi WrapperRegular price $12.00Regular priceUnit price / per$12.00Sale price $12.00 -
60" Kimono Display Rod (Dark Brown)
Vendor:Great for Kimono or HaoriRegular price $55.00Regular priceUnit price / per$55.00Sale price $55.00 -
"Kimono Tatoushi" Set of Three
Vendor:Kimono WrapperRegular price $12.00Regular priceUnit price / per$12.00Sale price $12.00 -
"Jingle Bells" Little Girl's Zori
Vendor:Fun to WearRegular price $15.00Regular priceUnit price / per$21.00Sale price $15.00Sale -
"Namban Art" Vintage Man's Haori
Vendor:Clash of CulturesRegular price $149.00Regular priceUnit price / per$149.00Sale price $149.00 -
"Surprise Me!" Japanique Magnets
Vendor:Set of ThreeRegular price $9.00Regular priceUnit price / per$9.00Sale price $9.00 -
"Waves" Katagami Art
Vendor:See The MovementRegular price $20.00Regular priceUnit price / per$20.00Sale price $20.00 -
"Tomoe" Katagami Art
Vendor:Black or WhiteRegular price $20.00Regular priceUnit price / per$20.00Sale price $20.00 -
"Peacock Feathers" Katagami Art
Vendor:Stained Glass LookRegular price $20.00Regular priceUnit price / per$20.00Sale price $20.00 -
"Paulownia Crest" Katagami Art
Vendor:Japan's National SealRegular price $20.00Regular priceUnit price / per$20.00Sale price $20.00 -
"Chrysanthemums" Katagami Art
Vendor:Imperial MotifRegular price $15.00Regular priceUnit price / per$20.00Sale price $15.00Sale -
"Jingle Bells" Little Girl's Zori
Vendor:Fun to WearRegular price $15.00Regular priceUnit price / per$21.00Sale price $15.00Sale -
"Golden Opulence" Fukuro Obi
Vendor:Ornate FloralsRegular price $125.00Regular priceUnit price / per$125.00Sale price $125.00 -
"Bishamon Armor" Fukuro Obi
Vendor:Bishamon KikkoRegular price $99.00Regular priceUnit price / per$99.00Sale price $99.00 -
"Grapevine" Fukuro Obi
Vendor:Light BlueRegular price $99.00Regular priceUnit price / per$99.00Sale price $99.00 -
"River of Gold" Fukuro Obi
Vendor:Meandering StreamRegular price $99.00Regular priceUnit price / per$99.00Sale price $99.00 -
"Tatewaku Phoenix" Fukuro Obi
Vendor:Metallic SilverRegular price $75.00Regular priceUnit price / per$75.00Sale price $75.00 -
"Snowflake Bride" Wedding Kimono (Uchikake)
Vendor:RhinestonesRegular price $449.00Regular priceUnit price / per$499.00Sale price $449.00Sale -
"Obi Tatoushi" Set of Three
Vendor:Obi WrapperRegular price $12.00Regular priceUnit price / per$12.00Sale price $12.00 -
"Kimono Tatoushi" Set of Three
Vendor:Kimono WrapperRegular price $12.00Regular priceUnit price / per$12.00Sale price $12.00 -
"Jingle Bells" Little Girl's Zori
Vendor:Fun to WearRegular price $15.00Regular priceUnit price / per$21.00Sale price $15.00Sale -
"Three Horsemen" Vintage Nobori Banner
Vendor:And A CastleRegular price $299.00Regular priceUnit price / per$299.00Sale price $299.00 -
"Captured Oni" Vintage Nobori Banner
Vendor:Demon QuellerRegular price $299.00Regular priceUnit price / per$299.00Sale price $299.00 -
"Namban Art" Vintage Man's Haori
Vendor:Clash of CulturesRegular price $149.00Regular priceUnit price / per$149.00Sale price $149.00 -
"Waka Poems" Vintage Man's Haori
Vendor:Cursive CalligraphyRegular price $149.00Regular priceUnit price / per$149.00Sale price $149.00 -
"Tokaido Gojusan-tsugi" Vintage Man's Haori
Vendor:Edo-period ImageryRegular price $149.00Regular priceUnit price / per$149.00Sale price $149.00 -
"Tea Ceremony" Vintage Man's Haori
Vendor:Calligraphy PoetryRegular price $125.00Regular priceUnit price / per$125.00Sale price $125.00 -
"Serenity" Vintage Man's Haori
Vendor:Ink Wash PaintingRegular price $149.00Regular priceUnit price / per$149.00Sale price $149.00 -
"Nihonga Painting" Vintage Man's Haori
Vendor:Beautiful LandscapeRegular price $99.00Regular priceUnit price / per$99.00Sale price $99.00