A Kasuri Woven Sashiko Stitched Furoshiki: Beautiful Corner Details

early to mid twentieth century
54" x 52", 137 cm x 132 cm

This is a good-sized, cotton furoshiki which is a traditional wrapping/carrying/hauling/storage cloth: furoshiki were used all over old Japan and they are still used quite a bit in modern Japan.

This one is especially nice for the overlay of good quality sashiko stitching onto a vibrant kasuri or ikat dyed background. The double kasuri is a stepped design, perhaps meant to evoke mountains: it is done in a blackish indigo with white and red details.

The upper left and lower right corners show a popular design pattern called matsukawabishi or an interlocking design based on the pine bark motif. The remaining two corners show a design that seems to be inspired by the folding fan. All the sashiko stitching is tightly and beautifully done. The right and left hand edges are also sashiko stitched.

Because the cloth was used it shows a distended center so the furoshiki does not lay entirely flat. There are a few surface snags and a small hole, also to be expected from a piece which was used in the home.

Recommended.