Uchishiki (Altar Cloth)
INV-1507Japan
1801-25
late edoJapanismtextileweaving
Date
1801-25
Medium
Silk and gold-leaf-over-lacquered-paper strip, slit tapestery weave (kossu); backed with silk, plain weave, creped wefts; tassels: painted and plied
Dimensions
65 × 64.7 cm (25 5/8 × 25 1/2 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Gaylord Donnelley in memory of Frances Gaylord Smith
This uchishiki (altar cloth) and this fukusa (gift wrapper) all feature phoenixes. The phoenix reached peak popularity in Japanese art in the late 1800s due to its link with the Meiji emperor, who reigned from 1868 to 1912. Some scholars believe that this imagery promoted the emperor’s rule; according to legend, the bird only appears in times of peace and prosperity.
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