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I have a piece of art from my late Uncle I am trying to identify.
I Know it is Mt.Fuji and I would like to know what the writings mean.
Also I am interested in the history of the medium used.
The image is created entirely by the weaving of threats,
NOT by printing.
Is there a reliable way to determine the age and what fabric is used?
Also there are minor brown spots I would like to clean.
Some sources say dry cleaning is best,
but I am reluctant to put it in their hands and prefer to clean it myself , perhaps with distilled water?

The origin of the design is a Japanese woodblock print by Hiroshige from the famous series Fifty-three Stations of the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô gojûsan tsugi no uchi), depicting the station 'Yui'.
For a full description see the link to the MFA Boston below.
The depiction on your fabric is an mirror-image.
Guy



URL Title :Hiroshige - Yui

This is a mirror (left for right) image copy taken from Hiroshige's famous "53 Stations of the Tokaido Road" originally printed in 1831-34. The lower right is a mirror image of Hiroshige's (Hiroshige ga) signature. The upper left probably tells you that it is a view from Yui station overlooking Sargura Bay.

See number 17 Yui on the at the link below.

Cheers,
Stan

URL Title :53 Stations of the Tokaido

Probably woven on loom with Jacquard-type patterning device, 20th century, probably mass-made as tourist curio. Probably copied from painting or print.

Actually could have been made anywhere. Cannot read characters which might include title of original and (or) name of factory.

The orange-red color and some others could be aniline dye. Earlier and cheapest dyes not 'fast' to water and some solvents. To test, dampen small cloth or tissue with water, press lightly on surface for about 10 seconds. Do not rub. If some color comes off, do not wash or have dry-cleaned.

Some fibers including cotton turn brownish with age. This cannot be removed with any type of cleaning. Spots from something splattered on textile cannot be cleaned unless you know cause.

Mixed media (foundation fabric, several colors of woven threads in design) is very difficult conservation problem. Textile expert can discover what fibers present (could include cotton, wool, silk, rayon/nitrocellulose). Each type fiber react differently to different type of treatment.

Minimum conservation approach is make sure framing environment is completely acid-free.

Good luck,
Cal

Thank you for your reply, it was very helpful:)

This is a copy of a woodblock print by Hiroshige. This image being "Yui, Satta-mine" -(Satta Pass), # 17 in his famous "53 stations of the Tokaido Road" series. Though you seem to have the image reversed somehow.

Anyway, I think this is a sort of touristy kinda thing of primarily decorative value.

This is a woven reproduction of one of the fifty three stages of the ToKaiDo by Ando Hiroshige.

But why are you showing us the back of the weaving?

Everything is reversed.

Turn it over and see if you like it better.

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