This vibrant scarf was once part of a Japanese Kimono, probably a jacket or Haori.
It is decorated using the traditional technique of shibori, where pinches of tied cloth forms a resist to the dye and then left pale to form a textured design.
This design is overlapping waves (seigaiha), a symbol of calm bringing peace or riches, as both were traditionally provided by the calm sea. However, the shapes are open fans (sensu) which are considered auspicious as the act of opening a fan implies the unfolding of the future.
The colour red has traditionally represented the sun and is a sacred colour. In the ancient times, reddish colours were generated by Akane (Rubia akane) or Benibana (Safflower).