Japanese Meiji Tokugawa Rope Embroidery on Silk of Two Phoenixes

Japanese rope embroidery on silk, the image is a pair of phoenixes, male and female, with the moon waxing and waning (full and crest). This is a privileged image made specially for the court. The pagoda shrine is central to the image with the Tokugawa crest symbolizing the divine rule from heaven.
Japanese embroidery (nihon shishu in Japanese) is an embroidery technique that goes back more than one thousand years. In its early stages Japanese Embroidery was only used for decorating items used during religious ceremonies. Over time, as shishu developed its own unique Japanese qualities and characteristics, it took on a more artistic purpose.

Meiji period (1868-1912)

Dimensions: 40" w x 62 1/4" h (entire frame), 36 1/2" w x 58 1/2" h (embroidery without frame)