ca. late nineteenth century
52" x 52", 132 cm x 132 cm

This eye-dazzling noren or door covering is made of indigo dyed, hand woven cotton, and shows an all over pattern of boldly patterned white zig zags. 

This pattern, the classic Japanese motif called matsu kawabishi or pine bark, was achieved by the application of the katazome method of resist dyeing: in katazome dyeing, rice paste is applied on cloth through an expertly cut stencil.  Where the rice paste rests on the cloth, dye will be resisted.  Therefore, in the case of this cloth, the entire bolt of indigo dyed cotton was stenciled prior to dyeing, and it was the task of the noren maker to line up the pattern as beautifully as she or he did here.

The cotton of this noren is fine; the color is a kind of steel blue and it is beautiful.  Curiously, it is the back of this noren that is light-faded (see detail photos), not the front.  Perhaps to preserve the beauty of the noren, the owners hung it facing wrong-side out?  Seems unlikely, however it is one way to think about it.

This is a spectacular piece and whoever will be the proud owner will have acquired something wonderful--and it is a real piece of old Japan that appears as vibrant and relevant today as it did over one hundred years ago when it was made.

See some more thoughts on this on my blog.

Very recommended.