Antique Japanese c.1820 Futon Cover 6 Color Turtle & Crane Indigo Dyed Tsutsugaki

Known as a kakebuton or futon cover this is an antique Japanese fabric which dates to the late Meiji Era (c. 1880). This large 49" by 61" piece has various shades of indigo blue dye which was applied using a paste resist printing process known as tsutsugaki to create these designs. It is decorated with the the Turtle & Crane with Shochikubai motif (Pine, Bamboo & Plum Blossom). In the center the Mitsubishi Mon (Three Diamonds) or Family Crest is featured. It was used in its day as a futon cover. Often these received a lot of wear and holes are patched and reinforced with additional backing material of cotton. 

Tsutsugaki (筒描) is a Japanese technique of resist dying that involves drawing rice-paste designs on cloth, dyeing the cloth, and then washing off the paste. The rice paste is typically made from sweet rice, which has a high starch content and is therefore rather sticky. The paste is applied through a tube (the tsutsu) similar to the tubes which are used by bakers to decorate cakes. A related process is to apply the paste through a stencil; that is called katazome seen on the back side patches.

Known as boro, the patching of torn or worn fabrics to make them last longer.

This can be picked up at our NW Portland location in the frame or shipped as a folded piece without the frame.