A Length of Sakiori Weaving: Panel from a Kotatsugake

ca. mid twentieth century
47" x 13 3/4", 119.5 cm x 35 cm 

This is a lovely, beautifully worn length of sakiori, a kind of weaving that uses shredded cloth for its weft yarn; sakiori is the Japanese word for rag woven textiles.

The warp yarns are of two colors, indigo/black and yellow, and each color warp yarn is set across the width of surface of the cloth in even spacing.  The weft is entirely of cotton rag of orange, mottled white and mottled grey/brown 

Note that the short ends are unraveling a bit although, if handled sensibly, it should be stable.  

Most likely this sakiori panel is taken from a kotatsugake or hearth cover, and it shows some light wear, some slightly bleeding pink tones, and a bit of very superficial soiling on one side of the panel.

Beautiful and unusually colored, and in good, used condition.

Recommended.