Futon Cover Item Number: 2504/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Pictorial ikat futon cover. The cover is dark blue with light white-blue depictions of fans with floral motifs. The back is unlined.

Specific Techniques

One layer of futon cover constructed from weft resist-dyed (kasuri or ikat) cotton fabric. Fabric woven from resist-dyed weft threads according to a pictorial image (technique known as picture kasuri (e-gasuri). Prior to dyeing, sections of bundled, stretched out weft threads are tied to resist the subsequent indigo dye baths. The ties are removed and the fabric is woven. Threads may have been tied by one of two techniques: 1) by employing a picture board (ezu-dai) and guide thread (tane-ito) upon which an image is transferred, extended, and used as a guide for tying, or 2) a technique known as koba-jogi in which a design is drawn on slats of wood or paper that are subsequently laid one after another and used as a guide for tying. Fabric has been dyed with indigo dye and woven in a balanced plain weave (each panel includes four repeats of pattern). Four widths of fabric have been hand-stitched together to form futon cover.

Item History

What

Name
Futon Cover
Identification Number
2504/2
Type of Item
cover
Material
cotton fibre and indigo dye
Manufacturing Technique
resist dyed, woven and stitched
Overall
height 141.0 cm, width 125.0 cm

Who

Culture
Japanese
Previous Owner
Dorothy M. Miller
Received from
Dorothy M. Miller (Seller) and Fyfe-Smith Memorial Oriental Collection Fund (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Japan

When

Creation Date
during 1900
Ownership Date
before February 10, 2000
Acquisition Date
on February 10, 2000

Other

Item Classes
textiles
Condition
good
Accession Number
2504/0002