Uchishiki (Altar Cloth)
late Edo period (1789–1868), 1801/25
Medium
Silk and gold-leaf-over-lacquered-paper strip, slit tapestery weave (kossu); backed with silk, plain weave, creped wefts; tassels: painted and plied
Dimensions
65 × 64.7 cm (25 5/8 × 25 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
150740
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This uchishiki (altar cloth) and this fukusa (gift wrapper) all feature phoenixes. The phoenix reached peak popularity in Japanese art in the late 1800s due to its link with the Meiji emperor, who reigned from 1868 to 1912. Some scholars believe that this imagery promoted the emperor’s rule; according to legend, the bird only appears in times of peace and prosperity.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...