TEXTILES
Japan
Futonji (futon cover made from a yogi [?])
Plain weave; Resist dyed, paste resist (tsutsugaki); Painted
Cotton; Vegetable dye (indigo); Pigments; Tsutsugaki printing
60 x 58 3/8 inches (152.4 x 148.3 cm) overall
Frances and Thomas Blakemore Collection
TC 96.2-185

The phoenix (hou-ou) in bottom center and paulownia (kiri) depicted in the crest in upper center appear together here. 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 paulownia (kiri) is the most widely used crest in Japanese heraldry. Seen as an imperial emblem along with the chrysanthemum, the honor of wearing a paulownia crest was bestowed upon loyal subjects of the imperial court. -- Researched by Elisa Law, Spring 2013.