Embroidered and painted silk fukusa, ceremonial cover, Genji in spring, Japan

Description

Almost square fukusa or ceremonial cloth, decorated with a hand-painted (yuzen dye-technique) scene around a pavilion in early spring, possible related to a chapter in Tale of Genji, with hand-stitched read silk and gold embroidered details. Noble men and women on the engawa and garden of the house. Pine tree and blooming plum trees and a small stream near the house, a wider river in the background.
The back is red silk brocade, with auspicious symbols: cranes, chrysanthemums, shippo and peonies.
Silk tassels.
Japan, Meiji era, probably around 1900.
H 26.4 x W 25 inches.
One tassel missing, faint soiling and dark spot, faint creasing, and folding lines, otherwise very good condition.