Japanese Folk Art, Sho-Chiku-Bai in Aizome Futon Cover

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Directory: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Pre 1940: Item # 659857

Asian Art By Kyoko
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Los Angeles
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Japanese cloth taken from an old futon bed cover, decorated with an auspicious motif of pine, bamboo and plum blossoms. The evergreen pine symbolizes the strength and devotion of men; plum blossoms are the purity, subtle beauty and inner strength of women. Bamboos are often used to describe the personality of men and women; for example, a person being as straight (honest) as bamboo, it could also mean flexible (bendable) to a large extent. When pine (matsu, SHO), bamboo (take, CHIKU) and plum blossoms (ume, BAI) are put together, they are called "Sho chiku bai".

The futon bed cover was probably a wedding gift from the parents of the bride. The design is dyed on cotton with a technique called “tsutsugaki” rice past resist in aizome (Japanese indigo dye). Circa 1920-1940, excellent condition. 63" x 49"