A Length of Undyed Kaya or Mosquito Netting: Mottled Stains and Patches

early twentieth century
74" x 13 3/4", 188 cm x 35 cm

This is a length of loosely woven hemp mesh that is undyed and shows a good deal of marking from its days as part of a mosquito net.

This length is a panel taken from a mosquito net--tents of mosquito netting were found hanging around and enclosing beds in all houses all over Japan, not just to protect from the hoards of mosquitos in that humid country's summer but also, in winter, to aid in capturing a bit of ambient warmth as one laid in their futon.

This piece is shows two mending patches (one of which has a faint, red mark on it), a good deal of expressionistic staining and on the top there is a triangle-shaped patch which shows where a piece of cotton would have been at the top of the mosquito net, the purpose of which was to provide structure for a loop to suspend the mosquito net over the family futons.

The length of bast fiber kaya is exemplary of part of Japan's past: it is a real example of mending and shows well the Japanese credo of mottainai, which is a call not to waste.