ca. late nineteenth, early twentieth century
58" x 37 3/4", 147.5 cm x 96 cm

This wonderfully faded, old, three panel noren is a tradtional doorway cover used all over Japan: it is used both as a "marker of transition" between the street and the interior of a shop or building as well as a sign which tells about the business being conducted within.  Sometimes, in the case of this one, a family name--this one says "Yamazaki"--is written on the noren.  In Japan, you can often tell when a shop is open if its noren is flapping in the breezes outside.

This noren is made from resist dyed cotton which has been beautifully weathered by time.  The noren has been dyed in green persimmon tannin called kaki shibu, which is a ubiquitous dyestuff used for myriad utilitarian functions as it strengthens cloth, thus prolonging its life.

The two kanji or Chinese characters bearing the family name are also beautifully faded and show two, small, dark stains which can be seen in the accompanying photos.

The noren is hand sewn and is a real beauty.

Recommended.