A Large, Commercially Produced Cotton Futon Cover: Realistically Depicted Marine Life

early to mid twentieth century
58" x 54", 147.25 cm x 137 cm

This commercially produced cotton futon cover shows a remarkable repeat pattern of highly--almost photographically realistic--marine life. Shown are snapper or tai in Japanese, prawns and clams.

In Japan, tai or snapper is an auspicious fish because its name sounds like the end of the word o-medetai (meaning celebratory or joyous). Zoom in on the details provided here in order to see the stunningly clear details which describe this fish.

Prawns are often depicted on textiles because of their bent over form: this is a wish for long life, since old people are often hunched as they enter advanced age.

The colors of the cloth are handsome. It is made from two wide pieces of printed cotton that are hand stitched together and there are about three small holes (pictured) which in no way detract from the overall enjoyment of this wonderfully unusual, large cloth.

Unusual!