In Japan, the crane is one of the most popular and auspicious motifs and often features on celebratory textiles such as this fukusa, or gift cover. Admired for its beauty, the bird is said to live for a thousand years and inhabit the land of the immortals. In folk tales, the crane sometimes features as the heroine who, disguised as a mortal, serves as a loving wife. The crane on this embroidered fukusa is shown flying low above rocks and crashing waves, the spray from the latter forming a golden arc around the bird. The energy of the scene is enhanced by the ground fabric which is woven with scrolling peonies.