Dashi-fukusa Cloth (Tea-things) (Nara Gire Shokko Mon)

The design is adopted from one of the best "Meibutsu-gire", famous textiles imported from abroad, mainly China, from the 14th century to the 18th century which were particularly popular among tea-masters and the upper-class people. It is an impressive geometric pattern on diapered ground which consists of a roundel enclosing 2 dragons fighting for a precious stone in the center and 8-petaled flowers in squares arranged at its four corners. Although the original fabric named "Nara-gire Kinran" is a gold brocade having a pattern under Chinese influence which is effected with gold leafs on green ground, this piece is executed with warp-yarn composition in a sophisticated color scheme.