Ryu Kirin Shokko- Nishiki Kobukusa Dashibukusa by Kitamura Tokusai

Ryu Kirin Shokko- Nishiki | 龍麒麟蜀江錦

This is a renowned meibutsugire (famous textile), traditionally handed down at Hōryū-ji Temple. According to the original ink inscription (bokuga) on the piece, it was produced by the Imperial Weaving and Dyeing Bureau of the Ming dynasty in China.

Set against a golden-brown background, the textile features an elegant arrangement of three colors—yellow-green (moegi), light blue (hanada), and red—applied in a style reminiscent of ungen (delicate color gradation). The refined design includes a qilin (mythical beast) enclosed in a circle, a dragon within a floral roundel (rinbana), and a six-petaled flower placed inside a square, all contributing to the graceful and dignified character of the brocade.

Product No. 198
Material: Finest Quality 100% Silk
Textile: Traditional Nishijin-ori (Kyoto Brocade)
Construction: Hand-sewn

Size:
Kobukusa: Approx. 15.8 × 15.2 cm (6.22 × 5.98 inches)
Dashibukusa: Approx. 27.5 × 28.5 cm (10.83 × 11.22 inches

茶の裂地名鑑 P266
北村徳齋の仕事裂地爛漫 P87

Kitamura Tokusai is Japan’s only specialized maker of fukusa (ceremonial silk cloths) for tea ceremony. Established in 1712 (Shōtoku 2) in Kyoto’s Nishijin district, the workshop has been producing fine tea utensils for over 300 years, preserving the elegance and spirit of traditional craftsmanship.

Features of Kitamura’s Kobukusa

■ Carefully Selected Fabrics

Made from traditional textiles such as Nishijin-ori, each piece showcases refined patterns and graceful colors appropriate for the tea room.

■ Beautiful Craftsmanship

Each kobukusa is carefully hand-sewn with great attention to detail, offering both ease of use and aesthetic elegance.