A Length of Striped and Kasuri Cotton: Two Patches

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
69" x 13", 175.25 cm x 33 cm

This is length of hand spun, hand woven cotton cloth that shows a pattern of stripes interspersed with vertical channels of softly toned and rendered kasuri. The kasuri channels show a traditional Japanese motif of chevrons which, in fact, are stylized arrow feathers, a design referred to in Japan as yabane.

The color tones are contrasting with deep indigo for the stripes in relation to the soft silver/brownish tones of the kasuri. The contrasting element is further enhanced by the lone cotton patch attached to the center, top right of the panel and the subtle patch to the lower, right side.

The cloth is supple in the hand and very handsome to the eyes.