furoshiki cloth, Japan, Meiji (circa 1900), cm 113x96 Furoshiki were (and still are to some extent) wrapping cloths used when carrying small personal belongings, or to eventually wrap a gift to be presented. They have usually plain ground and display the family crest (komon) in the centre as an identification tool. This one has an unusual design with a pawlonia as family crest upper left, and a little inscription opposite to it, that might well be the name of owner, or of the person whom gift was addressed . Also noteworthy is the nice shade of green, achieved by over-dyeing indigo with a yellow dye. Made of three joined panels of hand-spun, hand-woven cotton, this furoshiki is in good condition with just very minor staining. Simple, tasty and smart.