A Hand Made Cotton Katazome Pillow: Dense Grain Fill

ca. early to mid twentieth century
5" (diameter) x 15", 12.75 cm (diameter) x 38 cm

This is a really charming, old-fashioned Japanese pillow which is hand stitched from stencil resist dyed cotton, or katazome and which is filled with grain or grain husk, possibly buckwheat.

The pillow is heavy from its filling which is dense.  It shows two distinct patterns of katazome cloth: the cloth of the body is patterned with a design of hollyhock leaves amid arabesques or karakusa, while the two pleated ends show white-on-blue resisted stylized chrysanthemums.

The pillow shows little wear and no discernible staining.  It is a really lovely piece, very reminiscent of old Japan.

Recommended.