Fukusa (Gift Cover)
1800-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This beautifully embroidered fukusa (gift cover) depicts the legend of Jo and Uba. This couple had a long and happy life together. When they died their spirits occupied the pine trees on the island where they lived, and on moonlit nights they returned to human form in order to clear the forest floor. Jo raked in the good while Uba brushed away the bad.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Embroidered satin silk with silk and metallic thread |
| Brief description | Fukusa (gift cover) of satin embroidered with silk and gold threads, Japan, 19th century |
| Physical description | Gift cover (fukusa) of a deep blue satin-weave silk embroidered with floss silk, silk cord and gold wrapped threads. The fukusa depicts the story of Takasago, showing an old couple Jô and Uba by a pine tree. The former has a rake and the latter a broom. They are a symbol of a harmonious marriage and longevity. The quality of the embroidery is exquisite. The tree is depicted with gold thread, which is couched down, and knots of silk. The costumes of the couple are embroidered with a variety of stitches, which are either sewn directly through the fabric or couched down. The effect of gauze is created by very fine embroidery. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This beautifully embroidered fukusa (gift cover) depicts the legend of Jo and Uba. This couple had a long and happy life together. When they died their spirits occupied the pine trees on the island where they lived, and on moonlit nights they returned to human form in order to clear the forest floor. Jo raked in the good while Uba brushed away the bad. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.236-1967 |
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| Record created | February 24, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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