A Bolt of Hemp Mosquito Netting: Rural North Eastern Japan

early twentieth century
7 3/4 yards x 12", 7 m x 30.5 cm 

This is a bolt of roughly woven hemp mesh whose yarns are hand plied--the bolt is, of course, hand woven.

The undyed yarns are beautifully wiry and of a rural or rustic origin. They are wheat colored and by looking at the attached details photos these traits are quite obvious. 

By the loose weave it seems the intended use for this length of hemp mesh was for a mosquito net which was a ubiquitous feature in homes all across Japan. It is worthy to note that this bolt is said to be from the northeastern region of Japan, or Tohoku, a region that has rich folk traditions.

Beatuiful.