Antique Indigo Tsutsugaki Dyed Cotton Tea Ceremony Utensils Motif

A four-panel indigo tsutsugaki-dyed cotton textile from the early 20th century, originally made as a futon cover. Tsutsugaki is a traditional Japanese resist dyeing technique, in which rice paste is applied freehand to draw motifs directly onto the cloth before dyeing.

This rare and unique piece features utensils of the Japanese tea ceremony, including an iron kettle set in a brazier, trivets, a tea whisk, a fan, a feather brush, and ikebana flowers. At the centre, the tea kettle is placed prominently, while the surrounding implements and ikebana flowers (plum blossom and Japanese silverleaf) symbolise a wish for abundance and prosperity.

The cotton has naturally faded with age, the top section has a mend, and the material is slightly thinned from time, though still strong. Collectable and increasingly hard to find, this textile embodies both the artistry of tsutsugaki and the cultural significance of the tea ceremony in Japan.

Material: coton

Width 132 cm

Length: 146 cm