A Resist Dyed Cotton Furoshiki: Family Crest

early twentieth century
42" x 38", 116.5 cm x 96.5 cm

A furoshiki is a traditional Japanese utilitarian cloth that is used for the storage or transportation of things.  Furoshiki come in all sizes and they serve a variety of purposes: small, silk, furoshiki are used for the presentation of gifts, while cotton ones such as this are generally used for storage and work, the larger ones containing bundles of things.

This particular furoshiki is hand stitched from three panels of cotton which was decorated and dyed in the tsutsugaki or freehand resist dyed method.  The image which is emblazoned at the center of the furoshiki is a family crest showing young ginger or myoga.  The wrapping cloth is used and it shows wear: have a look at the detail photos attached to see the scuffs and light wear to the surface of the cloth.

Still, it is a very handsome item and one whose tsutsugaki roundel is well-realized.  A very nice old Japanese folk textile.

Lovely.