Gift Cover (Fukusa) with Carp in Waves

The motif of carp in rough water originated in China. The expression “carp jumping over the Dragon Gate” (<em>liyu tiao longmen</em>) refers to attaining success in life, or, historically, to passing the imperial examinations for civil service. Dragon Gate is a steep gorge of the Yellow River at Hejing in Shanxi province, and it was once said that if a carp swimming upstream could surmount the gorge, it would instantly transform into a dragon and fly into the sky. In Japan, therefore, a gift cover (<em>fukusa</em>) like this would have been appropriate to celebrate the recipient’s achievements.