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Not currently on display at the V&A

Length

1750-1800 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This unusual length of Japanese fabric is a wonderful example of a very sophisticated type of weaving. It was probably created for use in a costume worn by a member of the imperial court. It is mounted on paper bearing an inscription which suggests that it was presented as a gift perhaps to a temple or shrine.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Polychrome woven silk
Brief description
Length of silk, wisteria roundels against a lattice pattern on gold ground, ink-inscribed paper end mounts, probably made in Kyoto, 1750-1800.
Physical description
Length of silk woven with roundels of wisteria in red, cream and gold against a purple lattice ('basket') pattern on a gold ground. Ends mounted on paper bearing ink inscriptions.
Dimensions
  • Width: 65cm
  • Length: 203cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Taihen sukoburu beppin kago no yatsu fuji' (Written in ink on the paper wrapper attached to the length. The fact that the textile bears this inscription suggests in was a much valued donation, perhaps from the imperial court to a shrine.)
    Translation
    A truely marvellous and wonderful wisteria on basket ground [textile]
  • 'Kanbo tsuji ichimai sasunyu' (Written in ink in smaller script on the inside of the paper wrapper attached to length. The meaning of this is uncertain, although 'tsuji ichimai' means 'one length'.)
Credit line
Given by Alison Bolton
Subject depicted
Summary
This unusual length of Japanese fabric is a wonderful example of a very sophisticated type of weaving. It was probably created for use in a costume worn by a member of the imperial court. It is mounted on paper bearing an inscription which suggests that it was presented as a gift perhaps to a temple or shrine.
Collection
Accession number
FE.14-2006

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Record createdMay 25, 2006
Record URL
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