Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9

Framed Japanese Oshi-E Textile Art Meiji Period from a Rare Large Set

About the Item

On offer is the last one of the set of seven framed Japanese textile art called Oshi-E circa Meiji Period (1868-1912). This rare set consists of seven panels depicting various aspects of daily life in Edo time with stunning details. These snapshots of moments not only reveal the buzzling commercial activities at the marketplace, but also provide insight into the signages, architecture, costumes and how people interacted within a historical and pictorial context. They are beautifully framed in matching red giltwood frame of faux bamboo form with linen mat and gilt and cork trim. We rarely come across fine Oshi-E textile work, not mentioning a large group such as this. We offer them for sale individually but it will be great for a collector to consider the whole set so that they can stay together. The set include seven lively scenes that mostly center on specialized merchants and shops with customers: a fabric store, a book-binding studio, a stone carving workshop, a basket-making studio and shop, a bottega that makes and sells brush pens and ink stones, a pastry and tofu house, and finally a lantern-viewing party at a tea house. The realistic rendering and attention to details are not short of "photographic" quality. From the signage of the shops, to the motions and attires of the individual characters, from the hairstyle, small ornaments, down to the facial expression, were all recorded in great details. Each panel was signed with the artist's name Yukihana in Kanji with a red seal. The Oshi-E (also known as kiritori zaiku) is a type of ornamental textile art dated back to the Muromachi period (1392-1573). It started among the elite aristocratic women in Kyoto before spreading wider in the Japanese society. Throughout Edo and Meiji period, Oshi-E were sometimes used to make offerings to the altars in the temple and in the late 19th century, it was exported to the west along with the other embroidery textile art. Oshi-E was made by using silk wadding to create a relief design. Various silk fabric swaps and sometimes wires and tassels, often recycled from older kimonos among the other pieces, were used to create different desired effects. Much details were focused on the elaborate dresses, head wears, faces, and plants in the setting. Ink and watercolors were used to facilitate the details of the design such as the background painting and the facial detailing. The work was time-consuming and in Meiji period, it was considered as a feminine accomplishment along with ikebana, embroidery and tea ceremony. According to the book: Threads of silk and gold: ornamental textile from Meiji Japan published by Ashmolean museum of art and archaeology University of Oxford, few examples survived to this day. Reference: Threads of Silk and Gold: Ornamental Textile from Meiji Japan published by Ashmolean museum of art and archaeology University of Oxford. Page 178.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)
  • Style:
    Japonisme (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1880s-1910s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Fine condition, not examined out of the frame.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU945025237402

More From This Seller

View All
Framed Japanese Woven Textile Panel with Dragon Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A framed Japanese woven textile circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Likely a fragment of a priest robe or kesa, the multi-paneled textile was finely woven with gold foiled threads that depicts a five-clawed dragon slithering in the clouds and water...
Category

Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Silk, Wood

Collection of Five Japanese Oshi-E Textile Art Panels Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a set of five Japanese textile art panels called Oshi-E circa Meiji Period (1868-1912). This usual set of panels depict various aspects of daily life in Edo time with beautiful details. Some of these panels are snapshots of the buzzling commercial activities at the marketplace, providing insight into the signages, architecture, costumes and how people interacted within a historical and pictorial context. Other panels depict daily leisure activities such as lounging in the park or visiting friends. The realistic rendering and attention to details are not short of "photographic" quality. From the signage of the shops to the motions and attires of the individual characters, from the hairstyle, small ornaments, down to the facial expression, were all recorded in great details. Each panel was signed with the artist's name Yukihana in Kanji with a red seal. These panels are unframed and await your custom touch (framing with inner gilt spacer and mat costs about 250-500 depending on the material chosen, see a framed example in the last picture of a single framed panel we have for sale). We offer them for sale individually, but it will be great for a collector to consider the whole set so that they can stay together. The Oshi-E (also known as kiritori zaiku) is a type of ornamental textile art dated back to the Muromachi period (1392-1573). It started among the elite aristocratic women in Kyoto before spreading wider in the Japanese society. Throughout Edo and Meiji period, Oshi-E were sometimes used to make offerings to the altars in the temple and in the late 19th century, it was exported to the west along with the other embroidery textile art. Oshi-E was made by using silk wadding to create a relief design. Various silk fabric swaps and sometimes wires and tassels, often recycled from older kimonos...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Textiles

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Framed Japanese Antique Phoenix Dragon Embroidery Tapestry Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A visually stunning Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1890s-1900s late Meiji period, presented with a linen matt with gold trim in a gilt wood frame. The design showcases a flying p...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Textiles

Materials

Silk, Giltwood

Framed Japanese Embroidery Dragon Tapestry Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1890s Meiji period presented in a gilt wood frame under glaze. The design features four dragons coiling and slithering in the clouds. The most auspicious mythological creature, dragon was a very popular motif in Japanese textile art. Viewing this particular piece, one is struck by the superb craftsmanship with the profuse use of silver threads in satin stitches and complex chain stich coiling that create the background. The slight relief technique was also used on parts of the dragon heads, rendering the piece a strong sense of dimension and motion. The textile itself measures about 32.5"x46". Japanese Meiji textiles were widely exhibited in the west during turn of the 20th century at the international exposition. It was used to showcase the Japanese aesthetics with the techniques at their pinnacle. These expositions solidified the country's images overseas and felled the Japanese craze in the west, which turned out to be a long-lasting influence on the western art. Many pieces were purchased and stayed in the west. As there is no brocade border present, the piece is likely the main part with the central motifs of a larger tapestry and was later framed for display. For two similar dragon tapestries...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Textile, Wood

Japanese Silk Embroidery Tapestry Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A spectacular Japanese embroidered silk panel beautifully presented in a gilt frame suspended in a lucite shadow box with gilt wood border. The silk picture is dated to 1890-1910s toward the end of Meiji Period, when Japanese started to participate international expose by presenting its best art and craft. Elaborate embroidered silk tapestry like this was very popular among westerners due to its superb craftmanship and also exotic subject matter that was often derived from classic Japanese folklore, mythology and various motifs. The tapestry on offer is such an example. It depicts an old couple...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Textiles

Materials

Fabric, Silk, Lucite

Framed Japanese Relief Embroidery Textile Art of Dragon
Located in Atlanta, GA
A beautiful Japanese textile art panel with an embroidered dragon on a swirling cloud background, nicely framed with a linen matt in an antique-fi...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Japonisme Textiles

Materials

Silk, Wood

You May Also Like

Late Meiji Period Sleeping Kimono / Yogi, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late Meiji Period sleeping Kimono / Yogi, Japan Yogi are a type of oversized sleeping kimono traditionally used in Japan. This kimono would have b...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Tribal Textiles

Materials

Cotton

Meiji Period Japanese Indigo Double Ikat Futon Cover
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Meiji period Japanese Indigo double ikat futon cover Japanese futon cover, a double ikat pattern in four panels depicting Kumamoto Castle with im...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Cotton

Framed Antique Chinese Textile
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A spectacular antique Chinese embroidery panel dated from (circa 19th century), professionally framed with linen mat, purchased from A...
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Tapestries

Materials

Bamboo, Silk

Framed Antique Chinese Textile
$1,600 Sale Price
33% Off
Rare Ikat Textile from Timor Stunning Tribal Motifs & Colors, Indonesia c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An exceptionally old and fine example of a west timor ikat textile. This particular textile is incredibly old, easily over a century old with a wonderful fading of color and aging th...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Indonesian Other Textiles

Materials

Yarn

Vintage Japanese Indigo Folk Kamon Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Dating to the mid-20th century, this vintage Japanese textile is a folk example of traditional stencil dyed fabric, known as katazome. Richly...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Textiles

Materials

Cotton

Vintage Japanese Indigo Folk Kamon Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Dating to the mid-20th century, this vintage Japanese textile is a folk example of traditional stencil dyed fabric, known as katazome. Richly...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Textiles

Materials

Cotton

Recently Viewed

View All