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1957.3.18B

Ceremonial textile used for covering food or gifts during wedding ceremonies.

1957.3.18B

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Collection type
Object
Description
Ceremonial textile used for covering food or gifts during wedding ceremonies.
Geographical reference
Japan
Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan
Cultural groups
Japanese
Person
Field collector Jaap Langewis
PRM source Jaap Langewis
Date / Period
Date made: 1850-1900
Date collected
By 1957
Acquisition information
Purchased: 1957
Materials and processes
Material Plant Fibre Textile, Material Pigment, Process Resist Dyed, Process Woven
Dimensions
Length: max 1110 mm, Width: max 1100 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1957.3.18B
Research and responses

This textile was studied by Setsuko Nitta and Professor Yanagi Yoshikuni from the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts during a research visit in November 2025. They noted that the correct local name is 'Uchikui' not 'Bashofu Nori-zome Fukusa' as previously recorded. This ceremonial uchikui was used for covering food or gifts during wedding ceremonies. It is made from Boehmeria nivea, commonly known as ramie, Chinese grass or Chinese silk plant, not bashofu (banana fibres). The rice paste design is put on the cloth with the help of paper funnel squirt called tsutsu.

Search terms: Textile, Ritual and Ceremonial, Food and Drink, Marriage, Food Accessory, Ceremonial Object

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