ca. late nineteenth century
65" x 13", 165 cm x 33 cm

This is a wonderful length of old, boro fabric: it is equally interesting for its indigo dyed katazome cloth, the variety and placement of patches, and for what the Japanese refer to as ito aji or the "thread taste", a term that refers to the integrity of the actual threads used to weave cloth.  In this case, as in most, the ito aji is due to the threads having been home spun and hand woven, and they are, indeed, beautiful.

But look at the fabulous fabrics here: the base fabric shows a wonderful repeat of chrysanthemums and peonies and patched over this are pieces of katazome cloth showing stylized pauwlonia flowers amid a trailing vine or karakusa motif.  Just lovely.

The cotton used to create this long fragment is thick and beautifully textured: please have a look at the accompanying detail photos to better appreciate this heavy, old fabric.

The indigo on this boro textile is faded to a lovely patina and in spite of this piece being hastily patched and mended, it still offers visual charm and delicacy.

Really lovely and recommended.