Meiji Tapestries

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...

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...

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...

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...

A Japanese Kesa (Monk's Vestment) made from thirteen columns of patchworks of shimmering woven brocades. The elaborate motifs feature repetitive elaborat...

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...

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...

A Japanese Fukusa Panel with tassels displayed in a gilt frame circa Meiji Period. Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a...

Antique Japanese Recycled Saki-Ori Farmer’s Vest This late 19th C recycled farmer’s vest from northern Japan was strip woven from repurposed cotton scraps in a technique known as sa...

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...

All hand work framed silk Japanese tapestry with embroidered boarder. A deep custom black lacquered frame. Originaly sold from Newman Galleries....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Meiji period Japanese Indigo double ikat futon cover Japanese futon cover, a double ikat pattern in four panels depicting Kumamoto Castle with im...

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, ...

A large piece of framed Japanese textile circa late 19th to early 20th century, end of Meiji period. Seamed together from four vertical sectio...

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...

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...