Welcome 2011, please be good to us all!
(*This wall hanging was a present from Mrs. Ito of Tomakomai, Japan. Appliqued with traditional new years motifs.)
**ETA: Julie has a great post describing the traditional Japanese motifs over at My Quilt Diary.
How special to have that gift from your Japanese friend! Best wishes to you and your family. Hi to George!!
ReplyDeletewow what a wonderful gift.
ReplyDeletevery special.
Kathie
What a cute quilt. Do you know what each of the motifs mean?
ReplyDeletethanks you guys~
ReplyDeleteI only know a few of the motifs, so if you can help, please comment!
the top left one is a pile of mochi (beaten rice) with a mandarine orange on top. the top right one is a fan. the middle left one is a plum blossom and ?. The center one is a top. And I think the bottom right one is a demon (Oni) that they get rid of by throwing beans at in March.
(Jennifer, help!)
Great gift! Hand appliqued, I bet.
ReplyDeleteThis is a darling little hanging and a lot more work than my embroidered one. The pile of mochi is part of the typical new years decoration in homes and shrines something like an offering to the Gods. The hanging decorations include something representing silk cocoons. Could mean wealth and expectation. The battledore is a game similar to badminton played without a net during this season. The pine ,plum, and bamboo is a symbol used for all kinds of auspicious occasions as pine and bamboo are ever green during winter and the plum is the first to bloom in the new year. It is a symbol of hope and good fortune since the Nara period. The top is a traditional new years toy meaning ever motion. The Fukuwarai is a game played, again this season, something like pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey. The resulting funny arrangements of the face bring laughter. The kite is another game for new years and this one is a lord who leads the procession. The mallet is a "mallet of good fortune" And the shishi or lion dance began in an area of Japan in the 16th century during a period of famine and is often danced by either one or two dancers at shrines during this season. The Japanese have so many items and even foods with double meanings. Some have been imported from China centuries ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this gem of a quilt.