1st Emperor & Empress Silk Fukusa

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Antique Japanese fukusa, dating to the late Edo period (c1850-1868), depicting the 1st Emperor and Empress sitting by a river, watching a bird. It measures 24-1/2" x 26-1/2", made of a silk crepe, hand sewn and has the 4 original tassles on the corners.

A fukusa was used for very special occasions as gift cover and were usually special ordered. Hand dyed using the same method as kimono called yuzen (waxy material placed all over except where they wanted the dye. Then it would be dyed, and washed off and the whole process repeated until all colors in the whole piece were finished).

This fukusa has an interesting, distinct Chinese artistic influence on the drawing of the emperor and empress. There is light embroidery work in gold on the bridge, rocks, bird and kimono. The back of fukusa is a separate piece of material and many also have pictures. In this case, the back has a mon or family crest.

There is a little wear to the material on the back where it had been folded for many, many years and along some of the edges.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 08 October, 2006.