Yayoi Kusama Dots Obsession Towel Scarf, 63rd Kohaku 2012 Prize Issue, Red and White, Unused
Yayoi Kusama Dots Obsession Towel Scarf, 63rd Kohaku 2012 Prize Issue, Red and White, Unused
- Dispatch
- Prepared and sent from Tokyo within 7–14 days, often sooner, or as arranged
- Arrival
- United States · usually 4–7 days after dispatch, insured and tracked Check the Shipping Flowchart here
- Import
Duties and customs · View the estimate
A guide for this piece: about $105, based on the 10% US charge on the declared value of goods made in Japan.
The final figure is set by US Customs and depends on where the piece was made and the kind of object it is. Many antiques over a century old carry no ordinary duty; most jewellery and leather goods add a single-digit rate.
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- Authenticity guaranteed · How we grade
Every piece is measured by hand, in centimetres as Japan measures. Please allow 1–2 cm (about ½ inch) for the give of the material and the hand that held the tape.
Condition report
Mint9.5 / 10
- Giftable
- Mint
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Honest Wear
- As Found
A Night in Red and White
For one New Year's Eve the national song contest dressed itself in Kusama's dots. This scarf is a relic of that night, made for supporters and never for shops.
Best for: Kusama completists and collectors of Japanese broadcast ephemera
Condition notes
Described as new, kept in storage.
Light fold lines possible.
Assessed from photographs and descriptionReport dated 13 November 2026
Grades, ratings and commentary are given to the best of our ability, knowledge and experience, and condition remains partly a matter of personal perception. What we stand behind without qualification is authenticity, truthful description and provenance, to the best of our knowledge. How we grade
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A long towel scarf in red and white, woven with the swelling dot forms of Yayoi Kusama's Dots Obsession and lettered Kohaku 63rd 2012.12.31. It is described as a prize issue from that broadcast, never sold at retail, and unused.
The Piece
The design is woven in terry, red on white on one face and reversed on the other, so the dots hold their edge from both sides. One end carries the artist's signature in script above the line Dots Obsession and her copyright.
By its present keeper's account it was won in a draw among viewers who sent messages of support to the programme. Fringed ends finish a length of 160 cm.
Details
- Artist: Yayoi Kusama
- Design: Dots Obsession
- Occasion: 63rd Kohaku, 31 December 2012
- Issue: Prize piece, described as never sold at retail
- Length: 160 cm (63 in)
- Width: 34 cm (13.4 in)
- Weave: Terry jacquard, reversible
- Colours: Red and white
- Marks: Signature in script and copyright line
- Fibre: Being confirmed against our archive records
Condition
- Described as new, kept in storage at home.
- Light fold lines from storage are possible.
- Every photograph is part of the description.
Condition grade S (unused, as new) on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.
Authenticity & Care
Described as the prize issue made for the 2012 broadcast; the woven signature and copyright line appear in the photographs. Its history is the present keeper's account and has not been verified by the Desk, whose curators check every detail in Japan before dispatch. Store flat and dry, away from direct sunlight.
Delivery from Japan
The piece is packed by hand in Japan, flat between protective boards. Shipping is quoted and agreed with you before purchase, weighing EMS, then FedEx, then air cargo, all insured and tracked. Duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Every sale is final; please ask anything you wish to know before you buy, and see our published policy.
Considered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. See more from Yayoi Kusama, or browse what has just arrived.
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