A Length of Kurume Kasuri: Crane and Tortoise

reduced from $85.00
ca. early to mid twentieth century
52" x 12", 132 cm x 30 cm

This length of kasuri, or ikat, dyed cotton shows familiar images in the world of Japanese traditional motives: the crane and the tortoise.

As is fairly well-known, both the crane and the tortoise are known to be symbols of longevity.  Thus, they appear on celebratory textiles to convey auspiciousness and goodwill--and, of course, a long life.

This length of hand woven cotton is a panel from a futon cover.  Most likely, since the woven images are auspicious, the futon cover from which this piece was taken was presented to a couple at their wedding.  In addition to wishing for a long life, the crane is a symbol of marital fidelity as it mates for life.

This beautiful and rustic piece of kasuri shows some patina from wear, and is presented in the unusual combination of a kind of olive drab/grey color and a darker blue/black color.  We are not sure if the grey is the result of sumizome or charcoal based dyeing, however, this is a possibility.

Note the lovely folk rendering of the images of the crane and tortoise: each is vibrant and quite animated.  And also, woven in kanji, is sennen, or 1,000 years--a reference to crane's living 1,000 years, again, a wish for long life.

A lovely length of cloth, to be sure.