A Small Tsutsugaki Furoshiki: Large Scale and Elaborate Family Crest

late nineteenth century
24 3/4" x 25 1/2", 63 cm x 65 cm

This is an elegantly presented, small-sized furoshiki which is a cloth used to wrap or carry goods. 

This furoshiki is hand stitched of hand spun, hand woven cotton cloth. It is dyed in the tsutsugaki method.

The green tone of the background of this cloth is indigo which has been overdyed with a yellow dye and the result is a rich, mossy colored green tone.

The elaborate, centrally placed image is a family crest which seems to be a combination of two of them with a plum blossom encircled in the lower part of the design.

The tsutsugaki design is clear and the drawing of it is sure and steady, making for a beautifully executed image.