A Section of a Large Hemp Cloth Banner: Dated 1896
Meiji 29 or June 1896
66" x 32 1/2", 167.5 cm x 82.5 cmÂ
The kanji or Chinese characters on this large, tsutsugaki dyed hemp cloth says it dates to Meiji 29 or June 1896. It also says it comes from Sakae Village, Niwa District in present-day Aichi prefecture, and the name Hikoshichi Watanabe is mentioned on it.
This was acquired with several other pieces in Japan from one source. It was later on, when the pieces were being entered and cataloged, that it was discovered that this piece of cloth is part of a larger maku or banner/bunting--one of three pieces--that would have been displayed in front of a shrine or temple.
That said, it is always interesting to trace the history of a piece if sufficient clues are to be found. In this case, the clues were present and abundant.
The hemp cloth is in used condition and the irregular left edge of it shows that it was hand cut from the larger piece.
It is a striking piece of good size and with good looking kanji--a handsome old cloth that will be 130 years old this month.
