This is an exceptionally large silk fukusa (wrapping-cloth) handpainted with an elderly lady and man, against a backdrop of the setting sun. The design is a reference to the Takasago legend, which has developed into a Noh theatre play and is much loved by the Japanese. The old man is called Jou and the old woman Uba, and as a couple they are called Jotomba. Deeply devoted in life, the old couple passed away within moments of each other and their spirits were transformed into pine trees: he a black pine and she a red. Sometimes they are depicted with tools: the man with a rake to rake in good fortune and the woman with a brush to brush away misfortune. In this painting, the couple are beautifully portrayed in attitudes of prayer, which I've never seen before.
The fukusa measures 26.5" (67.3 cm) square and is in excellent condition with only one or two pin-dot marks. There is some wear to two of the edges but this doesn't begin to detract as the majority of wear is to the backing silk, which is a lovely deep green and has a large 'mon' (family crest) in the centre. There is some additional wear to the green silk along a folding line but nothing serious and of course it wouldn't show when the fukusa is displayed.
Because of the Takasago legend, this would make a wonderful wedding gift and of course would make a striking wall display. A lovely, lovely piece!
