Description: Antique Japanese c.1840 Futon Cover 6 Color Phoenix Indigo Dyed Tsutsugaki Known as a kakebuton or futon cover this is an antique Japanese fabric which dates to the late Meiji Era (c. 1840). This large 57" by 55" piece has various indigo, green and red natural dyes which were applied using a paste resist printing process known as tsutsugaki to create these designs. It is decorated with a Phoenix and Paulownia flower motif. It was used in its day as a futon cover. Often these received a lot of wear and holes are patched and reinforced with additional backing material of cotton. Tsutsugaki (筒描) is a Japanese technique of resist dying that involves drawing rice-paste designs on cloth, dyeing the cloth, and then washing off the paste. The rice paste is typically made from sweet rice, which has a high starch content and is therefore rather sticky. The paste is applied through a tube (the tsutsu) similar to the tubes which are used by bakers to decorate cakes. A related process is to apply the paste through a stencil; that is called katazome seen on the back side patches. Known as boro, the patching of torn or worn fabrics to make them last longer. This can be picked up at our NW Portland location in the frame or shipped as a folded piece without the frame.
Price: 2875 USD
Location: Portland, Oregon
End Time: 2025-01-04T23:03:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Age: 1850-1899
Original/Reproduction: Antique Original
Primary Material: Silk & Fabric
Region of Origin: Japan
