A Length of Double-Sided Katazome: Flowers Used in Textile Dyeing

early twentieth century
52" x 13 1/4", 132 cm x 33.5 cm

This length of katazome dyed cotton was stenciled on both its sides in order to achieve a white-on-blue pattern of sharp clarity. In order to get a super crisp image the registration of the stencils needs to be exact.

In this case there are some "mistakes" which we can see as slightly blurred edges or a bit of stray blotching.

This is an unusual or pattern. It is said to represent a plant called tsuyu-gusa whose blue flowers yield a fugitive dye that is used as a marker for dyeing of cloth.

Because the color extracted from these flowers is weak it can be used as a guide during the dyeing process. It will then easily wash out and disappear thus leaving no trace on the finished, fully dyed textile.

Lucky for us the tsuyu-gusa plant is so lyrical when interpreted as a repeat pattern. This length shows a rarely seen pattern which is a delight for the eyes.

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