A Beautifully Subtle Pieced Furoshiki: Sashiko Stitched Name

ca. late nineteenth century
27" x 26", 68.5 cm x 66 cm 

This beautifully subtle, piece-constructed furoshiki, or traditional wrapping cloth, is hand stitched from three separate pieces of cloth, each of them the same striped cotton.

Most likely this furoshiki was assembled from a used kimono which is why the construction is asymmetrical as it is.  

The cloth itself is of good weight and of very handsome design--and it is in very good, almost crisp, condition.  The hand stitching is done using a thick, indigo dyed cotton thread, while there is a family name stitched in white cotton thread to be seen on the proper, left hand upper corner of the cloth.

The furoshiki is shown "wrong side up" in order to more fully illustrate the piecing and stitching which create this simple piece's allure.

Really gorgeous.