This vintage shikishi artwork beautifully combines Nishijin-ori (西陣織) textile craftsmanship, creating a playful and elegant decorative piece. At the center of the composition is a small green shikishi panel adorned with a whimsical white mouse rendered in raised Nishijin-ori fabric. The textured textile gives the mouse a soft, expressive presence, capturing the refined beauty of Kyoto’s famed weaving tradition.
Bells are protective objects, used in shrines to call the kami and to repel negative spirits with their crisp, resonant sound. They signify purification, divine attention, and the drawing-in of good fortune. When a rat is depicted with such a bell, the imagery suggests a creature actively summoning blessings, inviting prosperity while keeping misfortune at bay.
This central artwork is mounted onto a larger shikishi frame with a textured metallic green surface, bordered with gold edging that enhances its traditional Japanese aesthetic. The panel is secured with decorative cords at the corners, echoing the bright colors of the inner piece. A black braided cord at the top allows the piece to be displayed easily on a wall, functioning like a miniature hanging scroll.
Rat (子) are auspicious animals in Japanese culture and the first sign of the zodiac—symbols of cleverness, prosperity, and new beginnings—making this shikishi an especially delightful piece for good fortune or seasonal celebration.
