fukusa (ceremonial gift-wrapping cloth)

fukusa (ceremonial gift-wrapping cloth) , late 1700s or early 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)

Where object was made: Japan

Material/technique: crepe; chain stitch; silk; couching; gold thread; embroidering; satin

Dimensions:
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 73.75 x 71.25 cm
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 74 x 71.5 cm excluding tassels
Object Length/Width (Length x Width): 28 x 29 in

Credit line: Gift in memory of James H. Walker Jr., by his family

Accession number: 1993.0355

Not on display

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Label texts

Collection Cards: Animals

The lobsters on this gift-wrapping cloth represent an ancient spiritual couple. Japanese stories say their marriage produced the islands of Japan. The bent backs of the lobsters symbolize old age and wishes for long life.

Stories like this one help describe things that are difficult to explain. What stories have you read or been told that were created to explain something?

Exhibition Label:
“Flowers, Dragons and Pine Trees: Asian Textiles in the Spencer Museum of Art,” Nov-2005, Mary Dusenbury
In the context of a wedding fukusa, the pair of lobsters depicted here represents the primordial couple, the ancient Japanese deities Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto, whose union produced the islands of Japan. The bent back of the lobster also suggests extreme old age and thus conveys wishes for a long life.