A Beautifully Woven Sakiori Kotatsu Cloth: Squareish Blanket or Mat for Traditional Heated Table

early to mid twentieth century
56 3/4" x 53", 144 cm x 134.5 cm

This very handsome, hand woven, blanket-weight textile is woven from cotton yarns torn into narrow strips from rags. In Japan rag weaving is referred to as sakiori. 

This is a kotatsugake or kotatsushiki which is a cloth either to be draped over a heated table or kotatsu or to be placed under it. 

A draped, heavy cloth such as this traps the heat so a family who gathers near the hearth and places their legs under the cloth stays warm. 

This was undoubtedly was woven by a member of the family who used it as home weaving was a regular feature of most Japanese households.

As can easily be seen the color and pattern is handsome and very attractive. 

The dyed cotton warp alternates in columns of white and blue which gives a striped shadow effect to the textile.

The rag weft is softly colored with neutrals and shows some beautiful passages of reds, blue-greens and mottled areas that add texture and variation to the overall design.

The edges of the kotatsugake are finished with a burgundy-toned, commercially woven cotton binding.

This is a really good looking sakiori kotatsugake in good, used condition and shows no alarming or noticeable stains or damage. The color is soft and muted and there is great variation in the weft yarns which add visual interest to this very good quality, hand woven textile.

This is a wonderful piece to own.

Recommended.