Framed Japanese Futon Cover Textile Art with Resist Yuzen Dye

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Description

A large piece of framed Japanese textile circa late 19th to early 20th century, end of Meiji period. Seamed together … Read more A large piece of framed Japanese textile circa late 19th to early 20th century, end of Meiji period. Seamed together from four vertical sections of brown cotton, this textile was made as a Futonji (futon cover) or Yutan (covering cloth) for domestic use. It showcases a dramatic design of a mythical beast (maybe a Qilin or a Shishi lion) surrounded by fully bloomed large peonies on a brown cotton background. The image is vital with a folk-art energy and the colors are vibrant with burst of coral red peonies and leaves in the shifting shades of indigo blues. The design was achieved using the Tsutsugaki method of Yuzen dye, a techniques of free hand resist dying using rice paste, which involves many painstaking steps, and all done by hands in the workshop. Dating textile art precisely is not always possible, but based on the workmanship and style, the piece was likely made in the very end of Meiji to Showa period (1910s-30s). It was likely only used in special occasions based on its condition. Professionally displayed in gilt wood and plexiglass shallow box frame of museum quality.
Provenance: Corporate collection, Minnesota.
Textile is 61" H x 51" W. 66.5" H x 56.125" W with frame.
Reference: for several examples of Futonji and Yutan, see Textile of Japan: The Thomas Murray Collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art" (Prestell) page 224-250. See less