A Tsutusgaki Dyed Furoshiki: Heavy, Hand Spun Cotton

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
24 1/2" x 25 1/4", 62 cm x 64 cm

This small furoshiki shows a densely concentrated design of a central family crest of crossed feathers which is surrounded by a wide-stemmed trailing vine motif: this combination is a traditional one in tsutsugaki textiles.

A furoshiki is a traditional wrapping cloth whose function is to haul or store items; sometimes furoshiki bear an elaborate decoration as this one does.

The quality of the cotton on this piece is exactly as you would like to find on a Japanese folk textile: it is of hand spun yarns and it is densely hand woven. The cotton cloth is thick and sturdy. The entire piece is hand stitched.

As with most furoshiki that have been well-used in their lifetime this one has a distended center which is the result of it repeatedly holding a bundle of something or the other over time.

This is in used but good condition with the two tones of indigo still very strong and whose design is clear and bold.