ca. late nineteenth, early twentieth century
214" x 12", 5.43 m x 30.5 cm

Very long, crudely resist dyed cloth such as this are usually associated with festivals in Japan, and in most cases they were horse leads. 

Dyeing such as done on this cloth--in this case, bold swaths of diagonal stripes--was intended to lend a festive air to the textile, to brighten things up during times of celebration.

This piece, about 18 feet/ 5.5 meters long, is cotton that has been dyed in botanical indigo.  As the piece has been used--as can be witnessed by the fabulous patched repairs and the holes which are still evident--it can be placed in the category of boro textiles.

It is really long.  If you are not acquiring it to display as art, it can be used in multiple was as a home accessory.

It is a beautiful thing, and one, with its bright, good indigo, speaks volumes on life in old Japan.

Very recommended.