This striking futonji (bedding cover), dating to the Meiji period (1868–1900), is a masterful example of Japanese folk textile art. Measuring 52 inches by 62 inches (132 cm x 157 cm), the piece is composed of four panels of hand-woven cotton. It was created using the tsutsugaki technique, where a free-hand rice-paste resist is applied to the fabric before it is submerged in an indigo dye bath, followed by the application of painted pigments to the resisted areas.
The composition is rich with auspicious symbolism:
The textile features a deep indigo ground that serves as a dramatic backdrop for the pink, white, and teal-green pigments used for the plum blossoms and pine needles. A calligraphic signature and red seal appear in the lower right corner, marking it as a work of significant craftsmanship.