Tsutsugaki Futon Cover - Polychrome Phoenix and Waves

Antique indigo cotton futon cover with bold polychrome tsutsugaki drawings.  

This four panel cover depicts a vibrant phoenix flying near a paulownia tree with ocean waves flanking its base.

According to Buddhist mythology, the Phoenix represents wisdom & energy. Buddha was deep in meditation when the Phoenix appeared and blessed him with these sustaining qualities. It is also said that the Phoenix's ample wing spread protected him from the assaults of evil spirits during his reflection time.

The Japanese Phoenix auspiciously appears only in peaceful and prosperous times when it nests exclusively in paulownia trees.

Early to mid 1900's