Furisode with design of large and small plum blossoms
This furisode is believed to have been produced in the third quarter of the 19th century. The plum blossom is reserved in white by the stitch-resist method of tie-dyeing (nuishime shibori). Each bunch of blossoms contains 21-24 small plum blossoms, depicted in pale blue, deep purple and light brown created by Yuzen dyeing. The cloth was then dyed a beautiful shade of red with dye extracted from safflower (beni). The quality of the safflower as well as the level of dyeing skill, must have been very high, or the cloth would not have achieved such a deep and clear color. Dyeing tiny plum blossoms in the Yuzen style is a time consuming task.
Furthermore, special attention has been given to areas where the motifs transverse seam lines, to ensure a perfect match. The garment does not look exceptional at first glance, but the need for a careful examination of the material before production, and the technical skill required must have made it an expensive piece. This trend toward less ostentatious but more technically difficult decoration on clothing reflected the feelings of the townspeople who were frustrated with their situation; although they were affluent, they were considered socially inferior to samurai. This piece illustrates how townsperson gained satisfaction by spending lavishly on inconspicuous details.
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Furisode with design of large and small plum blossoms
Tie-dyeing and paste-resist dyeing (Yuzen) on scarlet figured silk (habutae)
The third quarter of the nineteenth century (Late Edo period)
Former collection of Sugiura Saburobe
