Tsuru & pheasant

MOTIF

The Tsuru, symbol of longevity, wishing forever-lasting love and happiness in one’s home when represented in pairs. Tsuru is amongst the most loyal birds. They never separate from a partner, even when migrating half of the globe to find their food. Such motifs are worn for wedding celebrations or wedding anniversaries celebrations and so on.

Another bird is joining them here: a pheasant. It is more rarely seen on an obi pattern but it is indeed an important figure because the pheasant, Kiji-雉 in Japanese, is the national bird.

In the background, we can see the roof of a temple and various auspicious patterns such as cloud-shaped pine branches and water streams.

TEXTILE

• technique: jacquard

• weft: silk & flat lamé golden thread

• warp: silk

PROTECTIVE TREATMENT

Bags created with this fabric need to be coated to ensure that the gold and the cranes’ textured threads don’t get damaged by friction. The coating will also protect the pale background from getting easily stained.