A Sliver of Tsutsugaki Dyed Cotton: Fragmented Auspicious Symbols

early twentieth century
55" x 13 1/2", 139.75 cm x 34 cm

This panel of indigo dyed cotton was dyed in the tsutsugaki method and is one panel of several that, when joined together, would have created an entire scene. 

This visually intriguing length shows fragments of the whole scene which was composed of images rich in symbolism and meaning. 

At top we see part of a flying crane: the crane symbolizes long life and, as the crane mates for life, conjugal fidelity.

Below it is pine which carries similar meaning for long life and marital harmony, and in the case of pine, it is because pine needles fall in pairs which is a lovely metaphor for happy couples.

Lastly at the bottom there are plum blossoms. The plum tree is the first to flower and it does so in winter. Because of this the blooms burst forth from under ice which gives plum blossoms the meaning of courage.

Clearly this fragment was taken from a trousseau item--the symbols rich in meaning for a newly married couple is obvious.

The cloth shows some hand painted details and the fragmented images suggestive of a larger image is artful and visually intriguing.

Just wonderful--and done with great skill in rendering complex images.