ca. early to mid twentieth century
32" x 34", 81.5 cm x 86.5 cm

This is a fine, indigo dyed boro noragi, or a cotton work coat made from pieces of recycled cloth, patches and mending.

The base cloth is an elegantly woven koshi or checked fabric, over which is applied mending patches of solid indigo dyed blue, stripes and small figured brown checked fabric.  It is the inside of the coat that is being shown here on this listing.

The patching on the inside of the proper pack is arranged in an almost monumental, "totem" like composition.  The fading to all the patches is really soulful, and the placement of the patches on the front, back and sleeves is fantastic, as is the stitching.

Please note one small, coin-sized area of loss to the proper, right sleeve, shown in photos.

A wonderful noragi to own, to collect--or to wear.

Really recommended.