About This Artwork

Japan

Fukusa (Gift Cover), Taishô period (1912–1926), 1912/26

Woven in one piece (hikikaeshi); Mon side: silk, twill weave, self-patterned by areas of plain interlacing; dye extracted through stenciled chemical dye stripper (bassen); Patterned side: silk, plain weave (shioze); painted with India ink (sumi) and gold paint; silk, running "controlling" stitches along all edges; corners: silk, oblique interlacing over wrapped cotton ball, knotted and re-plied fringe tassels
77.6 x 66 cm (30 1/2 x 26 in.)
Gift of Mary V. and Ralph E. Hays, 2001.230

Exhibition, Publication and Ownership Histories

Exhibition History

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

Ownership History

Acquired by Hays: April 10, 1979. Winnie Dahl, Oakland, Ca. and Kyoto