Phoenix on Pine Tree (detail), Folding screen with embroidery, Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum Collection

Embroidery has a long history in Japan. Since ancient times, it has been popularly used for decorating garments of clothing and even for embellishing textiles used in temples and shrines. Even within this long history, the lavish embroidery on these screens, which were made in Japan's modern period, demonstrates an astounding and rare level of craftsmanship. The silk threads exemplify the vibrant colors and brilliance characteristic of silk.
Kyoto embroidery well developed in the pre-modern era of Japanese history thanks to the great demands from feudal households, temples and shrines. However, during the Meiji period (from 1868), this traditional
craft began experiencing great drawbacks as artisans lost patrons due to the abolishment of the feudal system and the weakened position of Buddhist temples as a result of the anti-Buddhist movement at the time. Consequently, the embroidery industry in Japan looked to foreign markets for business. In doing
so, the extent of embroidery application suddenly widened, leading to the creation of not only embroidered paintings for pure appreciation, but also embroidered items such as folding screens, tapestries, curtains, and table cloths that would befit western interior.