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Object Timeline
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1973 |
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2015 |
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Textile (Japan)
This is a Textile. It is dated 19th century and we acquired it in 1973. Its medium is cotton and its technique is plain weave, indigo dyed, resist applied with stencil (katazome). It is a part of the Textiles department.
Katagami patterns are generally quite meaningful, evoking desirable personal qualities or referring to well-known stories. The crane-and-turtle motif that appears on this textile would have been recognized by Japanese viewers as a reference to a popular folktale the Legend of Urashima Taro. In the story, a fisherman who rescues a turtle is rewarded with long life and transformed into a crane. Here, the intertwined animals are paired with roundels formed of pine branches and bamboo shoots, creating a pattern symbolic of longevity and resilience.
This object was
donated by
Elinor Merrell.
It is credited Gift of Elinor Merrell.
- Stencil, Ferns and Swirls
- mulberry paper (kozo washi) treated with fermented persimmon tannin....
- Gift of Helen Snyder.
- 1976-103-61
Its dimensions are
H x W x D: 174.6 × 33 cm (5 ft. 8 3/4 in. × 13 in.) Repeat H: 15.9 cm (6 1/4 in.)
Cite this object as
Textile (Japan); cotton; H x W x D: 174.6 × 33 cm (5 ft. 8 3/4 in. × 13 in.) Repeat H: 15.9 cm (6 1/4 in.); Gift of Elinor Merrell; 1973-29-20
This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Katagami.
