Japanese Antique Fukusa Textile Art Meiji Period

A Japanese silk Fukusa panel circa late 19th-early 20th century of Meiji Period. The front was beautifully decorated with Yuzen-zome, a labor intensive resist-dye technique invested by an artist monk Miyazaki Yuzensai (1654 -1736) of Edo period. It depicts two of the shichifukujin (seven gods of fortune in Japanese mythology) on a small boat. On the left is Ebisu, the patron of fishermen who symbolizes abundance in foods. On the right side is Hotei, the god of fortune, guardian of the children, patron of diviners and barmen, and also the god of popularity. The two gods seem to be engaging in a conversation with their boat docking on a small rock in the middle of ocean waves. The sun rises in the far distant haze with two cranes in flight. A Mon symbol in gold thread was embroidered on the lower left side indicates the family crest. Yuzen resistant dye was used by a master's hand to render the subtle effects of the waves and the gradual haze. Embroidery was used sparsely in a very refined manner to highlight the small area of the costumes. Tiny beads were used to depict the splashes of the water. It is truly a beautiful piece of textile art done with astounding techniques.
The piece has a red floral silk backing and still retains three of the four tassels with a crystal bead on corners, as well as decorative stitches along the edges.
Fukusa is a traditional Japanese textile art used as a panel for presenting gifts at important occasions. It tends to carry a family crest.