A Length of Narumi Kongata Dyed Cotton: Imitation Shibori

late nineteenth century
28 1/4" x 13 1/4", 71.5 cm x 33.5 cm

Narumi kongata is a beautiful type of stencil resist cloth which utilized a set of stencils when used in combination would yield a length of cloth that mimicked the look of shibori as soft edges and shibori-like effects would be seen on the finished cloth.

Here we see a short length of very good indigo dyed cotton Narumi kongata that shows a repeat pattern of diamonds that are meant to look like miura shibori. Interspersed between this diamond pattern is a repeat pattern of alternating maple leaves and sparrows, the sparrows set in a diamond of dense, horizontal stripes while the maple leaves sit in a brighter, less-dense area.

A beautiful length of old Narumi kongata cloth, and one with a rich and unusual pattern. A bit of light fading to one of the selvedges.

Recommended.