This mid-Edo silk fukusa is a sizable piece, adorned with rare motifs portraying an illusion of palaces within the bubbles of a clam's breath. The intricate metallic couching work brings forth a complex palace scene against a blue satin silk background. Despite some fading and silk splits along the beni-red liner edging and back, the main artwork remains surprisingly well-preserved considering its age and the extensive couching work, none of which has detached—a common issue with such pieces. Measuring 33 inches (84 cm) in height and 26 inches (66 cm) in width, this fukusa's imagery is rare, delving into Buddhist teachings about the impermanence of material things. The concept emphasizes that perceiving impermanence is pivotal to finding happiness, enabling the dissolution of hate and greed, which are essentially illusions. This theme appears unique, not commonly found in other Japanese textiles, although a similar motif exists in an ivory netsuke by the artist Kagetoshi, housed at the British Museum.

This artwork is featured on pages 204-207 of Ceremonial Textiles of Japan, 18th to 20th Centuries. This book, published by Yorke Antique Textiles, can be previewed or purchased on our website here.

The piece is also featured on page 86 of the autumn 2019 edition of HALI magazine.

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