Object size: 81.5 x 76.5 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. The placement of the embroidered crest in the lower corner of the lining on the landscape fukusa suggests that it was folded in quarters for presentation, with the main design hidden. The flat metal threads are made of gold leaf adhered with lacquer to a paper substrate. These threads were often used in woven fabrics like nishiki (brocaded silks).
