ca. early to mid twentieth century
15 1/2" x 27", 39.5cm x 68.5 cm

Karafuru or the Japanese corruption of the English word colorful was a theme in sakiori weaving in the 30s and 40s in eastern Japan: by this time there were chemical dyed scraps of cotton cloth in plentiful supply even in rural areas, so the local home weavers set to making tapestries of bright, vibrant colors, a welcome foil to centuries of weaving sombre colored cloth.

This 'mat' is two lengths of sakiori cloth sewn together and folded onto itself in thirds, like you would fold a letter. It is finished with cotton banding. Apparently this mat was meant to be used in the genkan, or traditional Japanese entry way or foyer; maybe this mat was used to assist people in removing shoes or clogs, but we do not know this for sure.

A gorgeous thing with real vitality.