TEXTILES
Japan
Furoshiki (wrapping cloth)
Plain weave; Resist dyed, paste resist (tsutsugaki)
Cotton; Vegetable dye (indigo); Pigments; Tsutsugaki printing
53 x 52 in. (134.6 x 132.1 cm) overall
Frances and Thomas Blakemore Collection
TC 96.2-181

In the center surrounded by a vine motif, this paulownia (kiri) crest is the most widely seen crest in Japanese heraldry. Its popularity originating from Chinese legends and textile traditions. The combination of paulownia, phoenix, and bamboo appear on Chinese textiles to tell the story of the mythical and immortal phoenix who lands only on the paulownia tree and eats only bamboo seeds. The honor of wearing a paulownia crest was bestowed upon loyal subjects of the imperial court, as this crest, along with the chrysanthemum, was seen as an imperial emblem. -- Researched by Elisa Law, Spring 2013.