Cushion

This is a back cushion that was generally stood against the wall to be leaned back against in order to sit comfortably. It was stuffed with cow or pig fur in the past, but it is instead padded with cotton and quilted in the present day. The upper part was generally shaped into a high or low bulge. Letters representing longevity (壽) or motifs of a tortoise, a crane or a phoenix are often embroidered on the center. The back cushion shown here has a wider bottom and becomes narrower toward the top, which is shaped in a mountain-like form. A patch woven out of sedge is attached onto the center, while strips of navy colored Chinese silk are added around along the edge. A modified letter motif representing longevity (壽) is cut and attached on the center of the sedge patch, while a bat-shaped patch of fabric is attached on each side to the bottom of the sedge patch.