A Really Gorgeous Small Boro Furoshiki: Sashiko Stitching

ca. early twentieth century
36" x 38", 91.5 cm x 96.5 cm

This is a gem.  It is a rather small-sized, indigo dyed cotton furoshiki, a traditional wrapping cloth, with two corners that have been adorned with sashiko stiching.

A shown, the proper left hand corner shows an area of stitching in the asa no ha or hemp leaf pattern.  The stitching on the proper right hand corner is rather crudely executed, the motif is a stylized folding fan, a traditional Japanese motif--the Japanese invented the folding fan--which is often associated with weddings since fans symbolize the "opening" of things.

This furoshiki is quite worn and well-used as is obvious if you look at the attached photos; the center portion of the cotton cloth is distended and misshapen from use and there are passages of light fading, which can also be seen on the accompanying photos.  However, it is the patching and repairs that are "just enough" and beautifully arranged, which add the character and visual delight to this piece.

The patched repairs, about seven in all, are somehow perfectly arranged in an artful way, the largest patch, in the center, being slightly off-kilter, is something of a visual anchor for the "design" of the applied patches.

A marvelous little boro textile. Recommended.