A Length of Rustic Striped Cotton: Two Joined Pieces

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
58" x 13", 147.5 cm x 33 cm

Where Japanese folk textiles are concerned sometimes the least flashy cloth is the most beautiful--that is the case with this length of hand woven indigo dyed cotton cloth whose yarns are richly hand spun.

The texture, the color tones and the design of this length all combine in the most unassuming way. Yet when you are able to look into the cloth or to feel its texture you are able to read the history and the age of the cloth and this is wonderful sensory experience.

This rustic length is hand stitched from two separate pieces and shows some flaws in its weaving--both of these aspects add to the rural beauty of it. The subtle beauty of the asagi iro or light blue color of the length is clear and is hard to capture in photography.

This is a simple and beautiful length of old hand woven cotton cloth and is recommended for its quiet charm.