Object size: 109.0 x 85.0 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. This fukusa may depict the famous story of Taikobo (Jiang Ziya, fl. 12th–11th century BCE), an expert in military affairs who lived during the Shang dynasty (around 1600–1046 BCE). He withdrew from court, objecting to its tyrannical ways. He spent his days fishing at the Wei River with a straight hook and no bait, using the time to contemplate life and philosophy, believing that the fish would come to him on their own volition. Concurrently, King Wen of the neighbouring Zhou kingdom was looking for talented advisors. Before embarking on a hunt, it was divined that he would find a great teacher near the Wei River. During the hunt, he came across Taikobo and his unusual angling method. King Wen soon realised that this white-haired fisherman was an astute military strategist and made him his prime minister. Together they defeated the Shang and founded the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BCE). Humble straw is represented by luxurious gold threads, embroidered in basketweave-like stitches to suggest wickerwork or couched down in long strands to emulate the straw skirts worn by fishermen that keep out the water and cold. On this fukusa, the figure’s rustling fringe of gold threads evokes a wind-swept atmosphere.
