artisan's name unknown
Purple and Gold Chopstick Case , Taisho Era (1912-1926)
Woven Silk
1 1/2" x 4 1/8"
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In the late Edo to Taisho period (1912 -1926), a new industry appeared that produced and dealt with Fukuromono - which means purse, pouch, or bag in Japanese. In this...
In the late Edo to Taisho period (1912 -1926), a new industry appeared that produced and dealt with Fukuromono - which means purse, pouch, or bag in Japanese. In this industry fukuromono-shi (craftspeople) and fukuromono-ya (dealers) worked in tandem to create impeccable custom designed works.
Producing these bespoke works required highly skilled craftspeople from different disciplines - metalwork, lacquer, embroidery to name a few – and quickly developed into a very specialized industry.
This elegant case reflects the collaborative efforts of various craftsmen and the passionate attention to detail that characterized the final period of the fukuromono industry. The striped pattern of the exterior fabric is overlaid with a complex pattern in gold and red. The metal fastener made by a very talented craftsman. Inside, you will find a pair of extendable chopsticks matching the quality of the case. The handle of the chopstick is made of lacquered wood and has a small metal ornament depicting plum blossoms. The ends of the chopsticks are made of steel, crafted to fit inside the wooden handles and hold stable when fully extended.
It is a small but grand work, capturing a mutual obsession of the artisans and the client responsible for its creation.
Producing these bespoke works required highly skilled craftspeople from different disciplines - metalwork, lacquer, embroidery to name a few – and quickly developed into a very specialized industry.
This elegant case reflects the collaborative efforts of various craftsmen and the passionate attention to detail that characterized the final period of the fukuromono industry. The striped pattern of the exterior fabric is overlaid with a complex pattern in gold and red. The metal fastener made by a very talented craftsman. Inside, you will find a pair of extendable chopsticks matching the quality of the case. The handle of the chopstick is made of lacquered wood and has a small metal ornament depicting plum blossoms. The ends of the chopsticks are made of steel, crafted to fit inside the wooden handles and hold stable when fully extended.
It is a small but grand work, capturing a mutual obsession of the artisans and the client responsible for its creation.