Description This is a fascinating and lustrous table runner that would be a stunning addition to any table. It’s design is eye popping, and with its matching Lacquerware Set, there is nothing to equal it. It provides a wonderful panorama typical of the old arts of Japan celebrating the Twelfth Century or the Heian Era in Japanese History. There has been a constant fascination with the Heian Era, which was considered a time of peace and tranquility that lasted from 794, when the Imperial Court was established at Kyoto, to 1185. It was the great period of “classic” aristocratic culture in Japan. This distinctive vista also represents the manner in which much of Japanese Art portrays a wide expanse of territory as well as different points in time. It uses the classic “bird’s eye view” technique, by interspersing varying portrayals of golden clouds, to separate a range of scenes in as lifelike a manner as possible. Thus we see clusters of Villages (“Mura), Mountains (Yama”), Pine (“Matsu”), grand buildings (“Tatemono”) with historical or public (“Birujingu”) associations, and, most significantly, a celebratory Festival (“Matsuri”) Procession…all of which tend to idealize Japan’s historical past and this Era specifically. In Japan, extraordinary days are typified by annual Festivals with their portable Shrines (“Mikoshi”), surrounded by processions of Samurai and local townspeople. It all imparts a delightful feeling of movement, and emphasizes the significance of the celebration of ritual throughout Japanese History up to the current day, where these fabulously colorful and boisterous events still occur. ***Adding to the delightful novelty of this portion of a formal Obi is the creation of this Lacquerware Set that includes a Plate (11 inch diameter) with two matching smaller plates (6 inch diameter). The gold background on the design side is stunning, while the back is the typical black lacquer…all enhanced and made more appropriate for serving, if desired, by a heavy clear varnish. A Certificate of Authenticity is included. Professional packing and shipping provided within the continental United States
