Object size: 86.0 x 84.0 cm (with tassels)
In Japan, the practice of formally presenting gifts with silk covers called fukusa began in the Edo period (1603–1868), around the late 17th or early 18th century. These covers were draped or folded over gifts for a variety of occasions, from seasonal festivities to important personal events. Each fukusa was carefully chosen to evoke the circumstance of the gift and to convey a message to the recipient through its design. Fukusa designs often feature symbolic objects or allusions to Japanese and Chinese stories. The choice of fukusa also reflected the giver’s wealth, taste, erudition, and cultural sensitivity. The use of fukusa continued into the early 20th century. Today, they are used in parts of Japan for weddings and corporate events. Lobsters (ise ebi) have multiple auspicious connotations in Japanese art. They symbolise the Ise Shrine, a major site in Shinto and a popular destination for New Year pilgrimages. They also represent two gods enshrined at Ise: Izanagi and Izanami, the creator deities of Japan. The lobster’s bent back and long feelers conjure up an image of an old, bearded man, implying longevity. This fukusa would have been suitable for gifts related to the New Year, matrimonial bliss, the wish for many descendants, and old age.
