Framed Japanese Embroidery Fukusa Panel Meiji Period

A finely embroidered Japanese silk Fukusa panel presented in a beautiful brocade-wrapped fame. Circa late 19th century of Meiji Period, Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile...

A Japanese silk Fukusa Panel housed in a gilt frame circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a wrap for presenting gifts at important occasions. On the deep blue background, the elaborate embroidery work depicts a historical scene where street vendors selling goods to a royal household or an aristocratic residence. The scene focuses on the activities at the front gate where the couriers and servants were busying carrying the goods in. A peasant with straw coat...

A Japanese silk Fukusa Panel housed in a gilt frame circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a wrap for presenting gifts at important occasions. On the deep blue background, the elaborate embroidery work depicts three deities of the Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Fortune...

A finely embroidered Japanese silk Fukusa panel presented in a beautiful silk-lined giltwood frame (newly framed and glazed), circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used to wrap and present gifts at important occasions. Depending on the occasion, the panel itself can be a very fine textile art on its own. On the deep blue background, this elaborate textile art depicts an old couple standing on a bridge with three bystanders, flanked by pine trees with hills afar. The couple is Jotomba (Joo and Uba are their respective names), characters in the Legend of Takasago, one of the oldest Japanese mythologies, who are associated with old pines. The legend goes as: "At Takasago Shrine there is a very old pine tree, the trunk of which is bifurcated; in it dwells the spirit of the Maiden of Takasago who was seen once by the son of Izanagi who fell in love and wedded her. Both lived to a very great age, dying at the same hour on the same day, and since then their spirits abide in the tree, but on moonlight nights they return to human shape to revisit the scene of their earthly felicity and pursue their work of gathering pine needles. His pine tree is called “The Pine of Suminoe” while hers is "Takasago pine". In Japan, Takasago couple...