Bedding cover (futonji) decorated with symbols of treasure (takara zukushi), late 19th-early 20th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Cloth: cotton; tsutsugaki (freehand resist)expand_more
The John R. Van Derlip Fund and the Mary Griggs Burke Endowment Fund established by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation; purchase from the Thomas Murray Collectionexpand_more 2019.20.125
Not on Viewexpand_more
Technique: Freehand resist dyeing (tsutsugaki)
Women of a household generally made bedding covers (futonji) from textiles they purchased and then pieced together. The dye work on this large textile is expertly done, suggesting the hand of a professional. It was made using a starch-resist technique, in which a sticky paste was applied to mask certain areas of the textile, protecting them from immersion in the dye bath. Whereas some techniques involved a stencil, generating a highly regular pattern, with tsutsugaki the artisan applies the starch freehand through a tube; this application requires significant artistic skill and knowledge of how to handle the sticky material.
Likely part of a girl’s marriage trousseau, this futonji is decorated with auspicious symbols of wealth and taste known as takara zukushi (treasure collection), which are associated with the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Details
- Title
- Bedding cover (futonji) decorated with symbols of treasure (takara zukushi)
- Role
- Maker
- Accession Number
- 2019.20.125
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murray et al. 2018, pl. 81
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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