A Length of Indigo Dyed Cotton Shibori: Chrysanthemums and a Stream

mid twentieth century
63 1/2" x 14", 161 cm x 35.5 cm

This is a beautiful, shibori dyed cotton length that was taken from a yukata--a yukata is an unlined cotton kimono that is often worn in summer time.

This length shows a lovely and boldly graphic design of a highly stylized stream whose whirlpool-like current is interspersed with nicely depicted chrysanthemums, a favorite Japanese flower that carries with it imperial associations.

Because yukata are often worn in hot, summer months, they very often show what is thought to be a "cooling" design to foil the stifling Japanese summer heat. Such is the case here.

The cotton is in good, used condition with just a hint of stray dye in the white spots and with ingrained creases from its former life as a yukata.

This is an especially lovely pattern.