Japanese Textile Art

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DESCRIPTION:

This small, old, heirloom fragment of Chirimen Silk has been hand painted, using the "Rice Paste Resist" technique, and stenciled with natural dyes to depict the widely-esteemed Manchurian Crane (“Tsuru”) in a very unusual setting.

Seldom is the crane shown, alone, nesting in a tree; ordinarily, a pair would be seen in flight or standing next to the Pine (“Matsu”) which represents longevity. Added to this curious adaptation, is the stylized, almost abstract, portrayal of the pine tree and the floating, open fan (“Sensu”) which indicates a wide open future. As the Crane has traditionally been considered a sign of long life and good tidings, and used for happy occasions; it would not be difficult to conjecture that the original Kimono, from which this fragment has been saved, belonged to a woman of great wealth and nobility who anticipated the arrival of her first child.

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Japan

TYPE TEXTILE: Woman’s Kimono, perhaps an informal or under kimono (“Nagajuban”)

APPROXIMATE DATE OR PERIOD: Late Edo Era (1615 - 1867) to very early Meiji Era (1868 - 1912)

FABRIC CONTENT and CONDITION: Chirimen Silk is a rare, hand woven, crepe-like Silk that has not been reproduced in Japan since the 1800s, as the actual weaving process has been lost; while the hand painting and stenciling required that each color be applied separately, while all the others were painted out in the rice paste. Each time a new color was added, the rice paste had to be removed by soaking it out over and over and over again in the local river water. It is in excellent condition.

FINISHED SIZE: 13 1/2” wide x 17” high

PRESENTATION: Double matted in acid-free mats of black-core charcoal and greige, this unique Silk Fragment has been enclosed in a natural-looking, rough, wooden frame incorporating the charcoal and beige of the environment of the crane nesting in the pine. It is protected by non glare, 97% UV glass. This antique textile has been mounted in conformance with the highest standards in order to ensure a damage-free environment for its future protection

A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

PRICE: $1050

Professional packing and shipping provided within the continental United States