Meiji Textiles
MEIJI STYLE
From 1868 to 1912, Emperor Mutsuhito oversaw an era of transformation in Japan. Formerly a country of feudalism and isolation, Japan entered an age of modernization influenced by newly established trade and exchange with the West. The Meiji period, or period of “enlightened rule,” also saw the global impact of the East Asian country’s culture. Japanese Meiji furniture was exhibited at expositions from Paris to San Francisco and created for export.
Prior to the Meiji era, furniture was mostly made by commission for the ruling class; now there were new domestic and international markets. European styles like Japonisme appropriated Japanese design while craftsmen in places like Wales and England employed japanning, a varnishing technique that approximated the appearance of lacquer for the surfaces of furnishings.
Meiji furniture made for Japanese homes and buildings constructed in Western styles resulted in taller tables, chairs, cabinets with large drawers and other features. The government invested in areas such as transportation and communication, and because people could freely choose occupations after the restrictions of feudalism, industries of various types were energized by expressive new ideas during those years. Art schools were formed and, for the first time, design was an area of study in the country, leading to the evolution of professional design as a career by the 1890s.
The work of Japanese designers was transmitted widely through lavishly illustrated pattern books that included designs for screens and lacquerware for the home. While screens today may be of use as decorative accents or partitions to ensure privacy in one’s space, Japanese screens were adorned with paintings and were featured in performing arts such as concerts, tea ceremonies and more. The color illustrations that characterize Meiji woodblock prints, a genre of Japanese art that grew out of 17th-century developments in printing and book publishing, depicted the sweeping changes that the era brought to East Asia.
Although it was a time of societal and cultural shifts, a bolstered interest in art and design elevated Japanese craft traditions. From colorful porcelain table lamps with silk shades and hardwood tables decorated with dark lacquer to cabinets featuring iron hardware and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, Meiji furniture showcased Japan’s artistic heritage to the world.
Find a collection of antique Japanese Meiji period case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
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Style: Meiji
Antique Japanese Taisho Period Hinamatsuri Doll
Located in New York, NY
An antique traditional Japanese Hinamatsuri Ningyo doll for traditional Girls Day celebration, most likely from the Taisho period, 1912 to 1926. The doll depicts a Japanese emperor w...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Textile, Wood
Japanese Doll Set With Screen And Other Pieces
Located in New York, NY
A set of mid 20th century Japanese Sato Hakata Urasaki genuine clay dolls, hand woven textile, screen and othe pieces. The dolls are adorned with hand crafted and hand painted tradit...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Textile, Clay
Antique Japanese Taisho Period Hinamatsuri Doll
Located in New York, NY
An antique traditional Japanese Hinamatsuri Ningyo doll for traditional Girls Day celebration, most likely from the Taisho period, 1912 to 1926. The doll depicts a Japanese empress w...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Textile, Wood
Framed Antique Japanese Silk Embroidery Fukusa Textile Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Fukusa Panel with tassels displayed in a gilt frame circa Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
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
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Textile, Wood
Antique Embroidered Landscape Scene, Japanese Needlepoint Panel, Victorian Art
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a charming antique Victorian period embroidered artwork, showcasing delicate Japanese craftsmanship, circa 1870. This delightful silk cotton panel captures a serene landscape...
Category
1870s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Glass
Antique Japanese Farmer's Pants, Indigo, Cotton, Meiji
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese farmer’s indigo cotton pants. Woven and dyed cotton, worn by farmers working in the field. Narrow legs and ties around the waist. As shown, the pants have been well used ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Rare Pair of Japanese Meiji Period Silver Thread Embroideries on Silk Velvet
Located in Milan, IT
A rare and exquisite pair of antique Japanese embroideries woven during the Meiji period (1868-1912), at a time when the Japanese arts and crafts had been discovered by a selected fe...
Category
1870s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silver Leaf
Japanese Brocade Noh Costume Kimono Robe Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Noh costume made from magnificent silk twill brocade woven with metallic gold threads circa 1930s. The robe is identified as "Atsuita", made for male actors in the Noh play. The luxuriant fabric has a deep blue background with golden interlocking hexagon pattern that resembles tortoise shells, the symbol of longevity. The motifs showcase three auspicious symbols in repetitive patterns: roundels of coiled dragon, phoenix and peony. The kimono robe...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Brocade, Silk
Framed Antique Japanese Embroidery Fukusa Panel Takasago Legend
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered Japanese silk Fukusa panel presented in a beautiful silk-lined giltwood frame (newly framed and glazed), circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used to wrap and present gifts at important occasions. Depending on the occasion, the panel itself can be a very fine textile art on its own.
On the deep blue background, this elaborate textile art depicts an old couple standing on a bridge with three bystanders, flanked by pine trees with hills afar. The couple is Jotomba (Joo and Uba are their respective names), characters in the Legend of Takasago, one of the oldest Japanese mythologies, who are associated with old pines. The legend goes as: "At Takasago Shrine there is a very old pine tree, the trunk of which is bifurcated; in it dwells the spirit of the Maiden of Takasago who was seen once by the son of Izanagi who fell in love and wedded her. Both lived to a very great age, dying at the same hour on the same day, and since then their spirits abide in the tree, but on moonlight nights they return to human shape to revisit the scene of their earthly felicity and pursue their work of gathering pine needles. His pine tree is called “The Pine of Suminoe” while hers is "Takasago pine".
In Japan, Takasago couple...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Linen Go-Board Pattern Futon Cover
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th Century Japanese linen go-board pattern futon cover
A unique example of a game-themed textile, this 3-panel futon cover is woven of very fine...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Hemp
Framed Antique Japanese Embroidery Fukusa Textile Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese silk Fukusa Panel housed in a gilt frame circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a wrap for presenting gifts at important occasions. On the deep blue background, the elaborate embroidery work depicts a historical scene where street vendors selling goods to a royal household or an aristocratic residence. The scene focuses on the activities at the front gate where the couriers and servants were busying carrying the goods in. A peasant with straw coat...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Japanese Asian Framed Meiji Peroid Silk Floral Flower Embroidery Textile Panel
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and wonderfully designed/composed Japanese textile panel with embroidery floral natural landscape/flower decoration. The work is pr...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Textile, Silk, Wood
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
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Japanese Court Uniform for Imperial Appointee, 19th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Court Uniform for Imperial Appointee, c. 1887.
Wool with gold brocade.
Court and military uniforms in emulation of European ensembles were officially adopted by the Japanese gover...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Wool, Brocade
Japanese Silk Embroidery in Lacquer Frame, c.1890
Located in Savannah, GA
A Japanese export silk embroidery of a Shinto shrine in original parcel gilt ebonized lacquer frame, circa 1890.
29 ¼ by 24 ¾ inches
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Framed Japanese Antique Embroidery Sennin Tapestry Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1880s-1900s from late Meiji period, presented with an original wood frame with inner gold trim. The tour-de-force embroidered tapestry s...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Giltwood
Antique Early 20th Century Japanese Hand Stitched Silk Framed Tapestry
Located in Lambertville, NJ
All hand work framed silk Japanese tapestry with embroidered boarder. A deep custom black lacquered frame. Originaly sold from Newman Galleries....
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Glass, Lacquer
Framed Antique Japanese Embroidery Fukusa Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered Japanese silk Fukusa panel presented in a beautiful silk-lined giltwood frame (newly framed and glazed), circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Fukusa is a tra...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Framed Antique Japanese Embroidery Fukusa Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely embroidered Japanese silk Fukusa panel presented in a beautiful brocade-wrapped fame. Circa late 19th century of Meiji Period, Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Japanese Woven Ikat and Stenciled Summer Usumono Kimono Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a “Natsu No Kimono” (summer kimono) also called “Usumono" (thin clothes) dated from late Meiji Period circa late 19th to early 20th century. This well-preserved garment w...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Linen
Signed Silk Brocade Obi
Located in Sharon, CT
Very large (188") hand woven silk brocade Obi.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk
Saki-Ori Farmers Coat, Northern Japan, Meiji Period
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Saki-ori farmers coat, Northern Japan, Meiji period
A very heavy and substantial saki-ori coat, made of cotton with an indigo kasuri lapel. Several patches of hand sewn stitching ...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Framed Japanese Embroidery Textile Panel Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese textile panel with embroidery needlework circa late Meiji period (1900s) presented in a gilt wood frame with silk mat. The work depic...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Antique Japanese Brocade Monk's Robe Kesa Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive elaborat...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Brocade, Silk
Magnificent Antique Japanese Woven Brocade Kesa Monk's Robe Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades with luxuriant golden threads. Dated to late 19th century of Meiji Period, the elaborate woven motifs on this kesa feature repetitive roundels dragon and phoenix intermixed with peonies and chrysanthemum blossoms. Two shades of contrasting gold threads were used on a striking purplish-blue background, with a dark metallic thread for the outer border and a brighter thread for the main body. The brilliantly woven fabric was possibly recycled from Noh costumes...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Brocade, Silk
Japanese Indigo Kasuri Ikat Traveling Cape
Located in Atlanta, GA
Known in Japanese as Bozugappa (priest's raincoat), this cape-like garment was worn by the travelers in Japan circa late 19th century to early 20th century (end of Meiji period). Derived from the cape worn by the Portuguese missionary, who first arrived in Japan in mid-16th century, this type of cape was originally reserved for the Japanese military...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Linen
Antique Large Japanese Futon Cover with Resist Yuzen Dye
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large unframed Japanese Futonji textile art circa late 19th century toward the end of the Meiji period. Seamed together from four vertical sections of cotton in deep indigo color, ...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Fine Japanese Embroidery Silk Fukusa Kabuki Story Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese silk embroidery Fukusa panel circa 1890-1910s toward the end of Meiji Period. The spectacular needlework on this piece is a tour-de-force showcasing a scene from Kabuki th...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk
Japanese Textile Panel Double Ikat Kasuri Futon Cover
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese woven cotton textile panel with white pattern on indigo background circa 1900-20s (end of Meiji to Tasho period). The panel was joined by four vertical stripes and was tra...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Japanese Horse Trapping, "Uma-No-Haragake", Tsutsugaki, Cotton, Meiji Period
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese horse trapping, "Uma-No-Haragake", Tsutsugaki, cotton, Meiji period
This type of haragake is called yuiage ("tied up"). The central portion covered the belly of the horse an...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Framed Japanese Embroidery Silk Panel Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese silk embroidery Fukusa panel presented in mat and glazed gilt wood frame circa 1890-1910s (end of Meiji Period). The blue silk pane...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk
Antique Silk Kesa Monk's Patched Robe Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
Kesa, known as "Jiasha" in Chinese and "Kasaya" in Sanskrit, is an out-layer garment worn by the ordained Buddhist monks. Bearing a basic rectangular form, it developed originally in...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Textile, Brocade
Japanese Sashiko-stitched Cotton Rodogi Work Coat, Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Sashiko-stitched cotton Rodogi work coat, early 20th century, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan
A full length coat composed of indigo-dyed cotton with vertical bands of sashiko stitching w...
Category
20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Japanese Embroidery Silk Bamboo Fukusa Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese silk embroidery Fukusa panel circa 1890-1910s toward the end of Meiji Period. On the deep blue satin background, the artist showcases a clump of bamboos in a realistic sty...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk
Framed Antique Japanese Embroidery Fukusa Textile Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese silk Fukusa Panel housed in a gilt frame circa late 19th century of Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a wrap for presenting gifts at important occasions. On the deep blue background, the elaborate embroidery work depicts three deities of the Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Fortune...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Rare Japanese Fireman's Four-Piece Assemble Meiji to Showa Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare four-piece Japanese Fireman's assemble (Shobosho uniform) woven with heavy cotton and decorated with stencil resist dye circa 1890-20s Late Meiji to Showa Period. The assemble...
Category
1920s Japanese Vintage Meiji 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
1890s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Framed Japanese Embroidery Textile Panel Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese textile panel with embroidered picture work circa late Meiji period (1900s) presented in a gilt wood frame with silk mat. The work de...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood
Large Japanese Textile Futon Cover with Resist Yuzen Dye
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large unframed Japanese textile art circa late early 20th century toward the end of the Meiji period. Seamed together from four vertical sections of cotton in deep indigo color, th...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Japanese Textile Panel Double Ikat Kasuri Futon Cover
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese woven cotton textile panel with white pattern on indigo background circa 1900-20s (end of Meiji to Tasho period). The panel was joined by four vertical stripes and was tra...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Rare Japanese Woven Ikat Child Kimono Nemaki
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare and well preserved Japanese woven child's kimono circa early 20th century (end of Meiji period). The small kimono was a great example of Nemaki (...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton
Japanese Ceremonial Brocade Jinbaori Vest Jacket
Located in Atlanta, GA
Made entirely from luxuriant woven brocade (kinran) for the exterior, this Japanese sleeveless jacket is called Jinbaori. Commonly worn by the Samurai warriors during 16th century when warfare was common in feudal Japan, this type of loose jacket, as a surcoat on top the armor, served as an extra protection, and more importantly as an identification in the battlefield with its bright colors and often Mons. In Edo period, the society was stabilized and Jinbaori gradually shifted toward a pure ceremonial function.
The jacket on offer was unusual as it was tailored entirely from the bright Chinese brocade...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Brocade
Japanese Two Panel Screen: Antique Kimono Fabric Mounted on Screen
Located in Hudson, NY
Japanese Two Panel Screen: Late Nineteenth Century Kimono Fabric Mounted on Early Twentieth Century Screen. In the Heian period (eighth century to the twelfth century), noblemen wou...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Silk, Wood, Paper
Japanese Two-Piece Indigo Asa Kyogen Festival Costume Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A two-piece Japanese festival costume based on Kyogen theater performance circa late 19th century (Meiji Period). The matching assemble consists of an oversize jacket (Suo) and a pai...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Linen
Framed Japanese Futon Cover Textile Art with Resist Yuzen Dye
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large piece of framed Japanese textile circa late 19th to early 20th century, end of Meiji period. Seamed together from four vertical sectio...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Meiji Period Golden Dragon Zabuton Covers by Tanaka Rishichi
Located in Fukuoka, JP
The unique batik zabuton covers are adorned with golden dragons and are believed to have been originally ordered for a temple. The cushion covers were made under the Tanaka Rishichi ...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles
Materials
Linen
Japanese Fisherman Festival Kimono with Tsutsugaki Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese festival Kimono robe circa late 19th to early 20th century (end of Meiji Period) for fishing ritual. Made in a cotton fabric, the kimono was elaborately decorated by Tsuts...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles
Materials
Cotton, Linen
Meiji textiles for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Meiji textiles for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage textiles created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with fabric, silk and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Meiji textiles made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Japan pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original textiles, popular names associated with this style include and Takashimaya. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for textiles differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $156 and tops out at $113,966 while the average work can sell for $3,600.