This elegant silk fukusa (gift cover), dating to the latter Edo period (1800–1850), features a classic trio of embroidered cranes (tsuru). Measuring 25 inches by 25 inches (64 cm x 64 cm), the textile is crafted on a deep indigo silk ground that provides a dramatic backdrop for the soaring birds.

In Japanese culture, the crane is one of the most revered symbols of good fortune and longevity, said to live for a thousand years. The composition includes one central crane rendered in vibrant white and green silk threads, flanked by two lower cranes outlined in shimmering gold metallic embroidery. While the piece exhibits some wear along the back and edge border, and a few areas where the embroidery has loosened, it remains a poignant example of mid-19th-century craftsmanship. The textile is finished with a thin, contrasting red border that frames the celestial scene.

‍