A Large Bast Fiber Mesh Mat: Rice Washing and Steaming Cloth

mid twentieth century
66 1/2" x 31 1/2", 169 cm x 80 cm

This large cloth is hand woven from wiry, flat, hemp (or some kind of bast) yarns, the weaving being loose enough to be considered as a mesh.

This cloth was used in the washing--and probably--steaming of rice, most likely for sake production.

The almost imperceptibly softly, mottled, darkened haze appears on the cloth which is testament to the fact that this has been used.

In any case, this is a simply beautiful and generously-sized piece of hemp mesh that has myriad uses or applications.