A Length of Beautifully Colored Katazome: Rich Pattern

late nineteenth century
35 1/2" x 13 1/4", 90 cm x 33.5 cm

What a complex and beautiful length of old, hand spun, hand woven, multi-colored katazome dyed cotton. 

The design is interesting not just for its visual interest but also for the symbolism it carries. Shown are hexagons that each contain a stylized crane image. The crane image conveys a wish for a long life while the hexagon is short hand for tortoiseshell: the tortoise, not surprisingly, means longevity, too. Together the crane and tortoise represent hopes for a lifespan of 10,000 years.

The background is of tilted green spirals on a yellow background. The hexagons seem to float above this background and because of this they have a strong presence in the design. There is a patched mend to the length which is detailed here in an accompanying image.

This is a truly wonderful length of old katazome cotton and one that is rare for its complexity, its several colors and its bold pattern.

Recommended.