Oct 26 (Sat) - Nov 11 (Mon), 2024
Nara National Museum
A busy couple of days, but a very necessary TV program for Yomiuri Television Osaka, introducing one of the two marvelous mid-8th CE floral pattern felt rugs, exhibited in this year’s Shoso-in Treasures. Oct. 27th through Nov. 11th, 2024.
Found at the last depot of the Silk Road to the East, Nara, this collection of rare felt floor coverings, or bed pads, from 1300 years ago, has been well-preserved in wooden boxes and in a storage building with an entrance two meters above ground. I have had the privilege of researching with the Imperial Household agency since 2011 to collect information about these felts.
This year two Kasen felts were exhibited, no.15, in two-tones of indigo and three simple but artistically amazing floral patterns. Also, a “half-size”, or zabutan cushion, Kasen no.30, in “beige” on white. The motif wool of this kasen has been analyzed as dyed with Sappanwood (the Asian version of Brazil wood). I believe the artisan/workshop bought a light brown wool, and over-dyed it as dark as possible with Sappanwood to achieve a series of zabutan, futon, and double-sized futon, in the collection of the Shoso-in Repository. White is important for a 3-4 dyed indigo step design, for example. But one cannot effectively create a stepped series of the same color if starting with a natural brown wool. A natural light brown wool can be dyed a deeper color, such as Sappanwood, but in actuality Sappanwood is a transient dye and weakens over time, thus returning to the beige brown it appears as now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr8m9ImTC-U&t=586s (starts at 3:55 min.)
Enjoy, and I hope you have the opportunity to see one of these Kasen, floral pattern, felt works at least once in your lifetime.
