Artwork Page for Gift Cover (Fukusa) with Carp in Waves

Details / Information for Gift Cover (Fukusa) with Carp in Waves

Gift Cover (Fukusa) with Carp in Waves

波鯉図刺繍袱紗

1868–1912

Japan, Meiji period

(1868–1912)
Medium
Silk: embroidered; metallic thread
Measurements
Overall: 87.3 x 71.8 cm (34 3/8 x 28 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1324
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

The motif of carp in rough water originated in China. The expression “carp jumping over the Dragon Gate” (liyu tiao longmen) refers to attaining success in life, or, historically, to passing the imperial examinations for civil service. Dragon Gate is a steep gorge of the Yellow River at Hejing in Shanxi province, and it was once said that if a carp swimming upstream could surmount the gorge, it would instantly transform into a dragon and fly into the sky. In Japan, therefore, a gift cover (fukusa) like this would have been appropriate to celebrate the recipient’s achievements.
Finely embroidered silk textile depicting two carp, dark and light grey scaled fish, twisting among swirling dark blue water. The scales of the fish are outlined in light grey and the swirling currents of the water in white. Smaller, gold swirls and clusters of different-sized circles wind around the carp. One carp wiggles down and to our left while the other curves in a "C" shape, looking up in the upper left.

Gift Cover (Fukusa) with Carp in Waves

1868–1912

Japan, Meiji period (1868–1912)

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