A Length of Rustic Shibori: Thick Hand Spun Cotton Yarns

late nineteenth century
25" x 11 3/4", 63.5 cm x 30 cm

This section of beautifully rustic, indigo dyed shibori is hand woven from thick, gorgeous hand spun cotton yarns which are apparent when looking at the detail photos here. The weaving of the length is slightly loose.

The dyed pattern shows a central, diagonally-oriented indigo band that has interlocking circles as its motif. To the top, left and bottom, right are the same pattern but done in a technique called shirakage often referred to as "white shadow."

This is a type of shibori that was done in the rural northeastern area of Japan called Tohoku and this marvelously good section from what must have been a yukata or an unlined, casual kimono, must have been a stunning garment to see.

This is a wonderful fragment with good age, great, hand spun cotton cloth and beautifully bold dyeing.