Pencil Case（Fuku-neko Kohshi-mon）

Design of this brocade is originated from a pattern drawn on the "Kin-ji-raden-kenuki-gata-tachi" ("Tachi" Sword Mounting with Mother-of-pearl on a Gold Ground and Hilt of "Kenuki-gata" (tweezer-shaped opening) Type), which is the cats dangling the sparrows in bamboo grove were splendidly drawn on the gold "Ikakeji" ground sheath by a mother-of-pearl work, plus flowers and scrolls were chased on the hilt. "Kenuki-gata-tachi" was used by high-ranked officers in the Imperial Guards where sons of powerful aristocrats served. Only a few of the swords of this kind are left today, out of which this piece is the most gorgeous article. We have woven into warp-patterned brocade depicting the humorous figure of the cats, which were displayed in the original by the highest technique in the Heian period, in a beehive pattern with our authentic tehnique. The Source : National Treasure owned by Kasuga Taisha "Kin-ji-raden-kenuki-gata-tachi", Heian Period (12th C.)

We combined the lattice pattern, which developed in a wide variety of popular culture in the Edo period, such as kabuki and ukiyoe, with the cat, which also became widely popular in the Edo period.
Cats are lucky animals that protect crops and property from rats, and have been cherished by sailors as guardian gods of ships.
The "O-goushi" latticework, which means prosperity of offspring, was created with a wish for good fortune and peace of mind, and a rounded sleeping cat, which is associated with happiness, is placed within the "O-goushi" latticework, which is associated with O, a man with many grandchildren, because of the multiple crossing of large and small lines.