Overview

Hakoseko purses with such beautiful and gorgeous embroidery were used by the ladies in the palace to keep mirrors, paper, chopsticks, combs, and the like in them. For these purses, mainly imported cloths were used, such as woolen cloth, velvet, and “Gorofukuren” (grof grein, Dutch: rough woolen cloth), which was rare in those days. The raised embroidery was made of twisted threads which creates an impressive effect. The design motifs were auspicious objects taken from Noh dramas and Chinese anecdotes. Additionally, seasonal objects such as autumn plants were used.