A Length of Boro Kasuri: Shrimp Patch

early to mid twentieth century
63" x 12 1/4", 160 cm x 31 cm

This is a beautifully bold and wonderfully patched length of indigo dyed kasuri cotton.

The base cloth shows a repeat pattern of oversized well cover motifs interspersed by a design of four interlocking diamond shapes which, when they intersect, they form a kind of traditional tree bark motif called matsukawabishi.

About six patches are hand stitched to this base cloth, by far the most interesting of which shows an egasuri or picture kasuri shrimp: in old Japan the shrimp image conveyed a wish for long life--very old people are often doubled over, not unlike the form of a shrimp, which is the origin of this allusion.

There is a tear to the center of this boro length but otherwise it is in good, used condition.

A complex beauty.

Recommended.