This monumental triangular uchishiki (Buddhist altar cloth), dating to approximately 1876 (Meiji 9), is a significant historical textile with documented provenance. Measuring an impressive 78 inches by 50 inches (198 cm x 127 cm), it consists of a deep indigo-blue cotton field topped with a broad band of cream-colored silk.
The focal point is a large, prominently placed wisteria family crest (fuji-mon) at the center of the blue field. The crest is meticulously executed using metallic couching, where gold or silver threads are laid onto the surface and secured with fine silk stitches to create a luminous, textured effect. In Japanese culture, the wisteria is a powerful symbol of love and resilience, famously depicted in the kabuki drama Fuji Musume (Wisteria Maiden). Its weeping branches represent the heart's ability to endure sorrow and flourish through adversity.
The reverse side of the lining features kanji characters indicating that the piece was dedicated for a Buddhist altar in 1876. The textile remains in good condition, though it displays some small holes in the background cotton that reflect its age and ritual history.