Description
Wisteria as beautifully embroidered as these are very difficult to find…the background color is a light ivory as opposed to several of these photos which appear yellow in color.
This is a very sophisticated, finely hand woven, Satin Silk Fukuro Obi dating from the turn of the Century. The design is based on one of the most graceful and intricate of the flowers of Japan. The Wisteria (“Fuji”) was originally a wild mountain plant that can still be found growing wild in the Kansai region. This luscious purple flower was domesticated at an early date and by the late 12th century was celebrated at parties sponsored by Japanese nobility. The Wisteria grows into a gnarly tree with beautiful clusters of flowers hanging from its vines and has long been associated with longevity, prosperity and good fortune. It has been created here through traditional Japanese Silk Embroidery. Embroidery has a long history in Japan, where it has achieved heights unparalleled elsewhere. This Obi is a striking example of all the arts of Japan, from its fabulous hand weaving and dying to its spectacular embroidery.
The Wisteria became one of the most popular and traditional of family crests (“Mon”) and general design motifs, the appearance of which, usually references the Fujiwara family. Their family name contains the ideograph for wisteria, The Fujiwaras, whose name when translated literally means “fields of wisteria” continue as one of the greatest aristocratic lineages of Japan. They were one of the most prominent court families during the Nara and Heian periods, and were closely associated with the Kofukuji Temple and the Kasuga Shrine in Nara.
One end of this long, rectangular Obi has been skillfully folded in half and then tied in a bow of typical obi design. A marvelous Japanese Artisan (herself of Samurai lineage) created this artistic representation in order to display year-round the beauty of this wonderful textile, as easily as one would hang a painting. Silk thread has been used on the back to support the tying of this Obi. The Bow is held in place with a matching Silk, hand braided, “Obi-jime,” or cord that echoes the color and beauty of the Obi. The Obi-jime, of pure Gold and Purple Silk threads, has been tied in a traditional shape and is as old as the Obi itself.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included.
TTAC will personally pack and ship via UPS at company expense within the continental United States.
