Yellow-ground wrapping cloth (uchikui) with pattern of irises in a flowing stream by Anonymous

Yellow-ground wrapping cloth (uchikui) with pattern of irises in a flowing stream c. late 19th century

tempera, print, weaving, textile

pattern-and-decoration

tempera

print

asian-art

weaving

landscape

textile

japan

geometric

orientalism

line

japonisme

This late 19th-century Japanese *uchikui* (wrapping cloth) features a vibrant design of irises blooming along a flowing stream. Executed in a range of colors on a yellow background, the anonymous artist captures the delicate beauty of these aquatic flowers. *Uchikui* were traditionally used as a decorative layer worn under outer garments, reflecting the importance of textiles in Japanese culture. The stylized floral motifs, particularly the iris, often symbolize longevity and prosperity, making this *uchikui* a beautiful example of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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This wrapping cloth, or uchikui, is made up of two symmetrical panels of heavy-grade, plain-weave ramie. The panels are not identical because an artist created the design by hand using the paste-resist dyeing technique called tsutsugaki: motifs were made by squeezing sticky paste out of a tube, like icing a cake. Until 1879, government sumptuary laws regulated the use of colors and yellow ground, reserving them for the royal family; hence this piece likely postdates that year. The small size of this uchikui suggests it would have been used for gift presentation, and the use of a bright color indicates a festive occasion, like a wedding. Irises in a flowing stream is a motif borrowed from mainland Japan.