ca. late nineteenth century
68" x 26", 173 cm x 66 cm

This hemp mesh cloth was used as mosquito netting in old Japan, and its very roughly plied cloth attests to its rural roots: the cloth is beautifully rustic.  Mosquito netting, or asakaya as it is called when it is made of hemp, was very necessary in Japan, whose hot, humid summers breed swarms of mosquitoes.  

This hemp cloth--woven from hand plied fiber--is overdyed: indigo dyed yarns were then dipped in a yellow dyestuff to achieve the green color seen here.  In old Japan, the color green was thought to deflect lightning, so families may have gathered under asakaya to escape harm.

This very lovely boro or patched and mended example is made from two joined lengths of cloth and is repaired with seven separate cotton and silk patches. 

The age and the artistry of this piece make it desirable: asakaya is very collectible and boro asakaya even more so.  Note the proper, bottom, right of this piece where there is a layer of asakaya over the base, thus accounting for a kind of opacity.

Very recommended for its age and for its rustic beauty.