Gift Cover

29-96-169

From: Japan

Curatorial Section: Asian

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Native Name Fukusa
Object Number 29-96-169
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Japanese
Provenience Japan
Date Made 1750 - 1800 CE
Section Asian
Materials Satin | Crepe | Gold | Silk
Technique Embroidered
Iconography Treasure Ship | Water | Crane | Minogame
Description

Oblong gift cover (fukusa) in dark blue satin with a red crepe edge and lining. It features an embroidered treasure ship (takarabune 宝船) for honoring the New Year. This ship was said to sail during the New Year carrying the Seven Gods of Good Luck and their treasures. The cover shows the treasures including a pair of rhinoceros horns, two scrolls, a key to the storehouse of the gods, an ingot a coin, coral, wish granting gems, a magic mallet, and a hat and cloak of invisibility. A crane is at the top right while a long tailed tortoise (minogame 蓑亀) is in the waves in the bottom left. Both symbolize longevity as each animal is believed to live a long life.

Length 79 cm
Width 71 cm
Credit Line Bequest of Maxwell Sommerville, 1904

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