Japanese wall hanging
Name/Title
Japanese wall hangingEntry/Object ID
2024.9.48Description
Curtain featuring 7 black and dark blue rectangular flags with white binding, attached to a strip of white cloth. Central flag is wider than others. White tabs along the top are secured with black threads, most stitched in the shape of an "X" inside of a box, though some are stitched in a star shape or as a grid. Central tab appears to have a Japanese character.Use
Appears to be a noren curtain, a traditional Japanese curtain typically hung in the doorways of homes or businesses as a divider. Noren can protect a space from dust and wind, or are used in shop entrances as a kind of advertisement to welcome visitors from the street. Tabs along the top of the banner would be used to secure the fabric around a pole, which would then be placed in a doorway.Context
Noren curtains were initially used for practical reasons in Japanese homes, where they would be draped over doorways to protect interiors from wind, dust, and the sun. During the Heian period, they were especially common in the homes of the aristocracy, where they offered privacy while allowing for a sense of continuity by acting as a kind of soft barrier. During the Edo period (1603-1868), the rise of merchant culture popularized the use of noren as a form of signage for businesses, who had them hung in entryways, emblazoned with shop names or symbols representing their products. Temples also began to use them, often using noren which featured religious motifs or symbols. Indigo dyed noren are very common in Japan, and the banners carry significance in their adornment, often featuring family crests or common Japanese patterns or motifs.Category
Textiles, Wall hangings