About This Artwork

Japan

Fukusa (Gift Cover), Late Edo period (1789–1868), early 19th century

Patterned side: silk, warp-float faced 4:1 satin weave (shusu); embroidered with silk and gold-leaf-over-lacquered-paper-strip wrapped silk in Chinese knot, satin, single satin, surface satin, stem and straight stitches; paper-strip wrapped cotton padded satin stitches; laidwork and couching; painted India ink (sumi) details
Lined (re-lined) with silk, plain weave with creped wefts (chirimen); interlined with cotton; plain weave; padded with waste silk
Sewn with padded lining extending beyond front at center on all four side (Yatsuzuma); silk, running "controlling" stitches along edges
71.5 x 65.8 cm (28 1/8 x 25 7/8 in.)
Gift of Mary V. and Ralph E. Hays, 2001.214

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). pp. 279-280, pl.113.

Margaret Hawkins. “All Wrapped Up in Japanese Artworks.” Chicago Sun-Times. July 14, 2002.

“Hidden Meanings,” Shelter Chicago. Summer (2002), pp. 53-57

Ownership History

Acquired by Hays: January 6, 1978. Stonedene Antiques, Suisun, Ca.

The fukusa was exhibited for sale in Japan c 1960. Both the Gôtô Museum, tokyo, and the Miyai Co., Kyoto, wished to by it. An uknown American bought it before they could make an offer. A. Takemura, 7/22/90 per M. Hays.