A Length of Rare and Beautiful Kumanozome Boro: Traditional Stenciled Moire

late nineteenth century
54 1/4" x 13", 138 cm x 33 cm

This is an unusual and rare length of a type of patched and mended stenciled cotton known as Kumanozome.

On its own when in a fairly clean state, Kumanozome is a collectible type of fabric, not only for its distinctive beauty but also because fairly little of it was produced relative to the output of other stencil resist cloth which was made in Japan over the centuries.

Kumanozome refers to a place of origin, an area near present-day Okayama Prefecture: Kumano is well-known for producing this type of optically entrancing cloth.  

Kumanozome is immediately recognizable for its decidedly "Op Art" moire effect of undulating, crossing lines. Sometimes contrasting colors and values were used to heighten this effect as in this one.

This good-sized length was taken from a futon cover and shows a rich collection of patches and mending; it is quite rare--extremely rare, in fact--to find Kumanozome in boro form, especially when the hand applied repair is as unintentionally attractive as we see here. This is something of a treasure, at least for those who can see its beauty or who have an eye esoteric enough to appreciate this form of rarity.

This is a collectible piece of distinctly dyed cotton from old Japan, a real find.

Recommended.