About This Artwork

Japan

Fukusa (Gift Cover), Late Edo period (1789–1868), late 18th century

Mon side: wool, plain weave; appliqué with wool, plain weave; fulled (gorofukuren); embroidered, some areas over paper, with silk, gold-leaf-on-paper-strip wrapped silk, and gold-leaf-over-laquered-paper-strip wrapped cotton and wrapped silk in back, Chinese knot, satin, single satin, surface satin, stem and straight stitches; (probably) bamboo, rolled paper and silk padded satin and stem stitches; laidwork and couching; some embroidered areas painted; lining: silk, 7:1 satin damask weave (donsu); interlined with cotton, plain weave; sewn with front and lining matched in size (Tachikiri awase); silk, running "controlling" stitches along all edges
68.5 x 73 cm (27 x 28 3/4 in.)
Gift of Mary V. and Ralph E. Hays, 2001.210

Exhibition, Publication and Ownership Histories

Exhibition History

The Art Institute of Chicago, Elizabeth F. Cheney and Agnes allerton Textile Galleries, "Fukusa and Furoshiki: Splendid Japanese Gift Covers and Wraping Cloths," July 17–November 17, 2002

Publication History

Akihiko Takemura. Fukusa, Japanese Gift Covers (Tokyo: Iwasaki Bijutsu-sha, 1991), p. 159, pl. 28.

”Fukusa and Furoshiki: Splendid Japanese Gift Covers and Wrapping Cloths.” News and Events: The Art Institute of Chicago. July/August, 2002.

“Hidden Meanings," Shelter Chicago. Summer (2002), pages 53-57

Ownership History

Acquired by Hays: May 16, 1988. Donald Witz. It was puchased by him from G.T. Marsh &
Co. in 1971. Marsh's gave it a date of 1778.