A Length of Old Katazome Cloth: Hand Spun Cotton and Complex Design

late nineteenth century
34" x 12 1/2", 86.5 cm x 31.5 cm

This is an old piece of indigo dyed katazome cotton--the cloth is hand woven from hand spun yarns.

The pattern is an intricate one and is of a type that was designed to be associated with the look of brocade silk cloth. The design is based on octagons and squares.

Inside the octagons are dragons licking around a central image called mitsudomoe, a three "comma" design. Stylized chrysanthemums fill the alternate octagons. Flower motifs occupy the squares.

There is a very faded stain of benibana or safflower which reads here as a very pale orange or ochre tone. In looking at the seams that were not exposed to light or use we can see this color as it was when the cloth was new and the color is fairly bold.

A really wonderful length of old katazome cloth with a superb pattern and great fibers.

Recommended.