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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
Japanese Embroidery Tapestry Wall Hanging Unframed Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Japanese embroidery tapestry circa 1900s end of Meiji period. The lovely panel is of a fine linen/hemp in beige color with golden hue. The embroidery work depicts an elaborat...
Category

Early 1900s Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Linen, 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 Silk Brocade Obi
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Japanese Silk Brocade Obi (Sash) that would be used as a sash on a Kimmo. The background is black with a design of cranes and flowers. This could also be used as a wall hanging or...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Brocade, Silk

Japanese Silk Obi
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Japanese Silk Obi (Sash) with a background of Dark Brown with Rust and Green wovern through the entire length. Age - Late Meiji Good Condition Could be used as a wall hanging or o...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Silk

Rare Historical Set Japanese Oshi-E Textile Art Panels Meiji Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer here is a rare set of eleven Japanese textile art with painting panels called Oshi-E circa Meiji Period (1868-1912). This unusual set of panels depict various composition of...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Silk, Fabric, Paper

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

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

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

Monumental Japanese Silk Textile - Peacocks in Landscape.
Located in Christchurch, GB
As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this outstanding large scale Meiji Period 1868-1912 silk textile depicting a pair of peacocks within a lands...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Gold

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

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

Katagami (japanese Stencil), Meiji Era Japan
Located in Saverne, Grand Est
Katagami in washi paper, very finely worked. Japan, early 20th century. The sheets of paper making up Japanese stencils are made from mulberry bark. They are stuck together with fer...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Paper

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

Giltwood, Silk

Huge Japanese Silk Textile Goose In Flight
Located in Christchurch, GB
As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this large scale framed Meiji Period (1868-1912) signed silk textile, the Kyoto artist has rendered a very l...
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Silk

Antique Japanese 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. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Brocade, 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 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

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 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

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

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

Rare Large Japanese Velvet Yuzen-Birodo Wall Tapestry
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Japanese wall-hanging tapestry made from resistant dye painted cut and uncut velvet (the technique is known as yūzen birodo in Japanese). T...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Silk, Velvet

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

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

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

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

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 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

Late 19th Century Wrapping Cloth / Furoshiki, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th century wrapping cloth / furoshiki, Japan Hand-drawn resist-dyed (tsutsugaki) in natural indigo, this large wrapping cloth (furoshiki) disp...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Cotton

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 Vintage Indigo Woven Ikat Kasuri Textile Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese hand-woven panel with indigo blue background with white ikat chevron and diamond pattern. Sewn together from four loom-woven narrower stripes, the large panel was likely a...
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

Antique Japanese Futon Cover Featuring Pine with Plum Blossoms and Bamboo
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Antique Japanese Futon Cover featuring Pine with Plum Blossoms and Bamboo Unusual Background-Color of Gray with Plum Blossoms, Pine, and Bamboo...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Cotton

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

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 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 Silk Textile by Iida Takashimaya Company
Located in Christchurch, GB
As part of our Japanese works of art collection we are delighted to offer this charming Meiji period 1868-1912 embroidery of a chin dog aside a spray of peacock feathers and by one of the most famous textile company’s of the period, the Iida Takashimaya company, the breathtaking and simply captivating detail of the silkwork demonstrates some of the finest possible stitching methods available at that time and not surpassed to this day, the silk picture is cushioned and housed within its original black lacquered wood frame and importantly bearing the original and scarce Iida Takashimaya factory label to the reverse, an absolute masterpiece from a golden period of textile production, this picture would light up the wall of any room particularly your Japanese themed space . Provenance : UK Collection . Featured in – 2020 Vision of an enlightened ruler exhibition – plate 39 Literature : There is little doubt that a major part of the phenomenon of Japanese works of art exploding onto the worldwide stage leading up to and during the Meiji period was bought about by the Textile manufacturers of Kyoto, the most recognized of which will undoubtedly be the Nishimura company, founded in Kyoto in 1670 as textile traders, It was the 12th generation manager Nishimura Sozayemon (1855-1935) aged just 17 and remarkably adopted into the family as the son of a Chinese scholar who took the company to its dizzy heights. As early as 1873 just one year into his tenure the company were exhibiting at expositions and even during that early period the company picked up significant awards and medals with recognition both nationally and overseas , particularly in Paris in 1878 , thereafter the factory moved to new premises in Kyoto , presumably having outgrown their original site , this move coincided with the building of the new Imperial palace in Tokyo where Nishimura were commissioned to provide 64 embroidered wall panels...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

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

Late 19th Century Japanese Stencil-Dyed Textile / Kumano-zome
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th Century Japanese Stencil-Dyed Textile / Kumano-zome This 2-panel cotton textile was made in the Kumano region of Okayama Prefecture in th...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Cotton

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 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 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

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

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

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 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

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

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 Antique Carp Streamer 1860s-1900s / Mingei Wabisabi Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an old Japanese Carp Streamer.("Koinobori") This item is from the Meiji era (1860s-1900s). Jaoanese people hang up the carp streamers called ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Cotton

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Framed Pair of Japanese Silk Bands
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A framed pair of Japanese silk sleeve bands, late 19th-early 20th century. Embroidered in silk with pine trees, cranes, peacocks, peahens, birds & butterflies. Provenance: Dr. Hugh M...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Meiji Textiles

Materials

Silk

Japanese Vintage Indigo Woven Ikat Kasuri with Sashiko Textile Panel
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese hand-woven textile panel with indigo blue background with alternative white stripes intercepted with shorter horizontal ikat bands. Sewn together from four loom-woven narr...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Textiles

Materials

Cotton

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.

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