A Length of Kasuri Dyed Cotton: Shochikubai Pattern

early twentieth century
61" x 13", 155 cm x 33 cm

This is a generously sized length of indigo dyed cotton kasuri cloth that shows the famous Chinese-derived, Japanese trio of motifs known as shochikubai.

Shochikubai, is the design triad of bamboo, pine and plum blossoms, which conveys good wishes.  Plum shows courage as its blossoms, the first of the year, burst forth from under ice; the bamboo is resilience since it bends but does not break; the pine is a symbol of long life and also of a faithful marriage as its needles fall in pairs.

The length shows warp-based stripes which are evenly spaced across the width of this piece. The length is in good, used condition and the rendering of shochikubai is slightly unusual for its stylized, abstract presentation.

This is a very good piece of old kasuri woven cloth that is jammed with great symbols and motifs.