Japanese Antique “Indigo Boro Textile Featuring the Dream-Eating Baku — Tsutsugaki Folk Art from Meiji Japan” 14015

This indigo-dyed textile from the Meiji period is decorated using tsutsugaki, a traditional freehand resist-dyeing technique in which artisans draw designs directly onto the cloth with rice-paste from a conical tube. The result is a lively, expressive line quality unique to hand-drawn folk textiles.

The motif depicts the Baku, a mythical creature in Japanese folklore known as the eater of dreams. Since ancient times, the Baku has been believed to protect sleepers by devouring nightmares and warding off misfortune, making it a powerful and auspicious symbol.

The deep indigo background and soft white lines give the image a dreamlike atmosphere, enhancing the mystical presence of the guardian beast. The patches and areas of wear show the cloth’s long life and use, contributing to its character as a beautiful example of boro—a textile cherished, repaired, and preserved across generations.

This rare tsutsugaki piece, featuring the culturally significant dream-eating Baku, is ideal for collectors of Japanese folk textiles, indigo lovers, or anyone seeking a meaningful and visually striking display textile.

size 
wide 34cm.
Length 114cm.

Weight 100g