A Length of Narumi Kongata: Stenciled "Shibori," Sparrows, Maple Leaves
early twentieth century
27 1/2" x 13", 70 cm x 33 cm
Narumi kongata is a beautiful type of stencil resist cloth which utilized a set of stencils when used in combination would yield a length of cloth that mimicked the look of shibori as soft edges and shibori-like effects would be seen on the finished cloth.
Here we see a short length of very good indigo dyed cotton Narumi kongata that shows a repeat pattern of diamonds that are meant to look like miura shibori.
Interspersed between this diamond pattern is a repeat pattern of alternating maple leaves and sparrows, the sparrows set in a diamond of dense, horizontal stripes while the maple leaves sit in a brighter, less-dense area.
A beautiful length of old Narumi kongata cloth, and one with a rich and unusual pattern. One very small hole to the top, left had edge.
Recommended.