A Patched Piece of Warp-Based Kasuri: Insistent Narrow White Verticals

early to mid twentieth century
72" x 18", 183 cm x 45.5 cm

This length of indigo dyed cotton is composed of two vertically-oriented lengths that are hand stitched together.

More likely than not this was once a yogi or a kimono shaped duvet, the clue to assuming this is that this is a customary half loom width present and there is a mend to what would have been the neck/"shoulder" portion of the kimono shaped comforter.

There are four mending patches.

The cotton cloth is unusual and beautiful because it shows kasuri yarns that seem to be fed with no intent to form a pattern; they appear as a rain of white, undyed vertical lines against a background of deep blue. The fact that the kasuri yarns are completely warp directional is interesting and not often seen.

Of course there is fading and wear to the piece: it is old and was used. 

However its curious pattern and method of weaving--and its good size--make this a subtly beautiful cloth to examine closely and appreciate.