A Length of Complex Kasuri Cotton: Well Cover and Basketweave

late nineteenth century
64" x 13", 162.5 cm x 33 cm

This is a richly designed length of hand woven nineteenth century cotton.

It shows two columns of a bold kasuri or ikat repeat of the well cover pattern in the center of a complex version of a kind of basket weave pattern referred to as sankuzushi. The sankuzushi pattern is done in a brownish color cotton yarn.

The length is beautiful for its intricacy and unusual for its juxtaposition of basket weave with kasuri. An interesting note: sankuzushi patterns--of which there are endless variation--were popular in the late Edo period and during the Meiji period.

There is some loss and surface abrasion to the sankuzushi woven areas, one of which is shown in the accompanying detail photos. As well there are pools of light fading on the sankusuzushi areas.

Recommended.