Bedding cover (futonji)

first half 20th century

Fourteen anchors swirl across this cover as if floating toward the bottom of the sea. Sharp white outlines of the anchors are accented by circling chains that move in all directions. Ship anchors often adorned the covers given to young brides-besides signifying the need for stability in her new life, they also convey the wish that the bride will remain securely in one place, her new home, and not return to her parents.

Cotton cloth with free hand paste-resist decoration (tsutsugaki)

61 3/4 x 52 in. (156.85 x 132.08 cm)

Gift of the Virginia and Bagley Wright Collection

89.148

Photo: Paul Macapia

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Indigo" May 9, 2003 - October 19, 2003

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Beyond The Tanabata Bridge: A Textile Journey In Japan (Washington, D.C., Textile Museum, Sept. 10, 1993 - Feb. 27, 1994; Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham Museum of Art, Apr. 17 - June 26, 1994; Dallas, Texas, Dallas Museum of Art, Mar. 12 - May 28, 1995).

Published ReferencesRathbun, William Jay, Seattle Art Museum, "Beyond The Tanabata Bridge: Traditional Japanese Textiles", 1993 Seattle, Washington, pg. 136

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