Japanese Book of Semamori Embroideries on Black Fabric with Text magritte --not to retrieve

--not to retrieve

no stains at all that I can see

which lifts off and sits flush

5" x 7 3/4" x 3/4"

Japanese Book of Semamori Embroideries on Black Fabric with Text magritte --not to retrieveThis is a sample book of Japanese Semamori embroideries, which from what I understand were conceived as amulets of sorts to be sewn onto the back of children's kimono to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The tradition of Semamori began as a Japanese folk custom in the Edo period; I believe these date to the earlyish 20th century. At the center of the book is a fold out fabric page with handwritten Japanese text, which I wish I could