This exceptional silk fukusa (ceremonial gift-wrapping cloth) from Japan dates to the Taisho period (1912–1926). Measuring 29 inches by 28 inches (74 cm x 71 cm), the textile is meticulously crafted using the laborious tapestry weave (tsuzure-ori) technique and remains in very good condition.

The imagery depicts a serene and auspicious nature scene at sunrise. A large, vibrant red rising sun—symbol of the Japanese nation and new beginnings—dominates the golden sky, which is rendered with horizontal bands of shimmering metallic threads. In the foreground, a small wagtail bird perches on a weathered rock amidst crashing white-capped waves. Delicate bamboo leaves, symbols of resilience and flexibility, lean over the water from the right. The use of tsuzure-ori allows for the sophisticated graduation of colors in the sky and waves, mimicking the fluid quality of a painting.

This artwork is featured on page 128-129 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.

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