A Tsutsugaki Panel: A Rabbit, Waves and a Family Crest

ca. late nineteenth century
83" x 13", 211 cm x 33 cm

This is a panel from what appears to have been a re-purposed indigo dyed cotton yogi or sleeping kimono; the yogi was dyed using the free hand resist method called tsutsugaki.

Shown on this narrow, long panel is a beautifully rendered and spirited rabbit who is scampering over ocean waves.  Above the rabbit, at the top of this panel, is a family crest or kamon showing stylilzed folding fans.

This marvelous looking thing is rife with stories: as the story of how the Japanese rabbit--one of the most desirable of the tsutsugaki design motives--is really strange and complicated, please have a look at our blog here to read the (rather shocking) story at length.

There are four mending patches on this length of hand woven cloth.  The rabbit image is bright and clear; the kamon or family crest is ever so slightly yellowed.

A fantastic and collectible thing.