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19th C Japanese Indigo Cotton Yogi Futon Cover browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Textiles: Pre 1900: item # 717391 Please refer to our stock # 12-165 when inquiring.
B & C Antiques P. O. Box 291 Derby, CT 06418 203-929-7312 Guest Book $1,250 |
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This most unusual Japanese futon cover (“futongawa” or “futonji”) was made from a kimono-shaped sleeping quilt called a “yogi.” Based upon the heavy, home-spun 100% cotton and the excellent quality of the tsutsugaki drawing, we can date it to the late Edo/early Meiji period (mid-19th century). Also, futon covers made from yogi tend to be older ones. This cover has four and a half strips of indigo cotton sewn together lengthwise, another characteristic of yogi construction. It is decorated with tsutsugaki designs of a large family crest (“mon”) and blooming peonies in white and light blue on dark indigo ground. Peonies are among the largest and most luxuriant of flowers. According to Japanese tradition, peonies symbolize wealth, happiness, nobility and purity. The tsutsugaki technique involves freely drawn designs that are applied to cotton with paste resist squeezed through a paper cone having a tubular metal tip. The textile is then dipped repeatedly in indigo dyes. Where the paste lines had once been, white lines now remain, outlining the design in sharp contrast to the deep indigo blue background. Country dyers produced tsutsugaki textiles -- often with traditional auspicious or homely designs such as the peonies on this one -- as bedding, wrapping clothes, banners and celebratory textiles for weddings, births and other important events. These tsutsugaki textiles were part of a bride’s trousseau which parents prepared for their daughter as a prayer for the well being of her new family as well as her happiness, so great care was taken in their handling as they were regarded as necessary for an auspicious future. CONDITION is very good. The cotton is soft and shows typical signs of wear and usage. There are a few small repaired holes near the lower right margin, but these do not distract from the impact of the piece. DIMENSIONS: 62 ½” (158.8 cm) long, 56” (142.3 cm) wide. |
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