A Sashiko Stitched Sleeveless Vest: Yamagata

ca. early to mid twentieth century
shoulder to hem: 32", 81 cm
shoulder to shoulder: 16", 40.5 cm 

This is a very beautiful example of a sashiko stitched, indigo dyed cotton sodenashi, which is a sleeveless garment.

This sodenashi is from Shonai which is in present-day Yamagata prefecture in Japan's rural Tohoku region ; it is made of recycled, hand loomed cottons and it is entirely hand stitched.   By looking at the attached photographs, you will see that this sodenashi is intricately sashiko stitched: there are vertical lines of stitching all over the coat which quilt its two cotton layers together.  These vertical rows of stitching are spaced 1/4" apart.

The cloth of the outer layer of the sodenashi is a narrow and subtle vertical stripe; the area around the neck and shoulders is a tight checked cloth.  The collar is made from a spare kasuri or ikat, this kasuri being of a style very much associated with Shonai.  The inside of the garment is tiny checked cotton.

For being a very old garment, this vest is in very good condition.

A very handsome, still wearable sodenashi.

Recommended.