Gift cover (fukusa) with cranes and poem cards bearing calligraphy of Kimi ga yo poem

綸子地友禅染 鶴に「君が代」歌色紙文様袱紗　大正～昭和時代

What do the two colored squares on this silk gift cover represent? This is a design of poem cards (shikishi) of colored, decorated paper inscribed with classical Japanese poetry. Would you like to test your ability to look at calligraphy? (You don't have to read Japanese!) Which of the scripts is closest in style to that of the textile? Though they are not identical, you may find similarities to the lithe, delicate brushwork and the ink balance of the Japanese-style writing of Shokado Shojo, or perhaps of Prince Sonjun. Though the calligraphy in this gift cover appears to be ink, it is in fact entirely embroidered with meticulous stitches in superfine black silk. The background has a floral lozenge pattern derived from imperial textiles as well as variations on the Chinese character for "longevity." Cranes add to the auspicious, elegant feeling of this textile, suggesting it was used for a celebratory occasion.

Written here is a famous poem from the Heian period (794–1185) imperial poetry anthology Kokinshu. In 1880, this poem was set to music and made into the national anthem of Japan. It remains so today, despite the now controversial mention of the imperial reign.