A Tsutsugaki Dyed Cotton Noren: Traditional Door Covering

early twentieth century
46" x 51", 117 cm x 129.5 cm

This is a tsutsugaki dyed, indigo cotton four-panel noren, a noren being a traditional curtain that acts as a shop sign or a kind of cover for an entrance way depending how the noren is used.  

Noren not only acted as shop signs--they are hung in the doorway of a business to announce the shop is open--but they also provided a barrier between the dust and chaos of the street and the inside of the shop or home. Additionally they provide some sort of psychological effect of delineating the transition between outside and inside.

This particular noren is completely hand stitched of hand woven, seemingly hand spun cotton yarn; the cotton is relatively heavy in weight and of good quality. The condition, too, is very good with no obvious stains or holes with the exception of an expertly-done repair to the upper, left hand corner of the noren. The indigo dye is still clear and strong. 

What is so distinctive about this noren is its large, centrally placed and graphically stunning mon or family crest which is extremely deftly executed. The image of the square or diamond shape has many readings or allusions and in this case it is not easy to pinpoint which of the many meanings this mon represents. 

This is a handsome, still very usable traditional noren which is a wonderful example of this type of textile.

Recommended.