A Very Large Tsutsugaki Dyed Banner: Leaping Carp and Waterfall

early twentieth century
88" x 27 1/2", 223.5 cm x 70 cm

This very large and impressive tsutsugaki dyed banner was flown on boys day, a celebration to honor the sons in a family. Such banners, known as noboribata, often depicted images of masculine ideals such as bravery, perseverance and strength.

In this case we see a carp that is shown leaping upward and against a waterfall. The idea here is a traditional one, which is that if the carp has the audacity, courage and determination to conquer the waterfall and jump above it, the carp would be magically transformed into the noble, mythical dragon.

The drawing and the dyeing on this noboribata are sure, rich and elaborate. The original tabs that were used to affix the banner to a vertically oriented pole have since been removed and there is vestigial proof of these tabs on the piece.

There is a marring to the image near the storm clouds (shown) and some slight, mottled, light-grey toned staining near it, none of these are terribly distracting.

Just wonderful to look at and to display.

Recommended.