Nandina Berry Pillow Cover

Nandina Berry Pillow Cover

(Size:  30 cm x 30 cm (11.8 inches x 11.8 inches)

3,000 JPY/$30/22 Euros/£18)

We are not 100% certain where this silk brocade was woven, but we are guessing it is from Nishijin, Kyoto. It features nandina berries.  These are also known as 'heavenly bamboo' or 'sacred bamboo' in some countries. During the Sengoku period of warring states in Japan, it was believed that the plant warded off evil and it was customary to keep the leaves from this plant inside the chest where they stored their armor.  During the Edo period it was fashionable to plant these in your garden to ward off fire.  The superstition that this plant wards off evil probably originates in China. The leaves are also known for their preservative qualities and used to delay rice from going bad.  This was especially important in a time when there was no refrigeration.  If you can read Japanese please go here for more information.  

If you wish to purchase this pillow cover, please contact us at: ayako.y.nakamura@gmail.com.  If you have a Facebook account, please visit our page there and hit 'like'.  We also have a shop in Etsy now, and encourage you to come and browse through our products!

Further to this if you are interested in visiting our web page, please go here.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!