An Indigo Dyed Cotton Tsutsugaki Panel: Noshi Motif

late nineteenth century
60" x 13", 152.5 cm x 33 cm

This is a length of beautifully hand woven, indigo cotton that was dyed in the tsutsugaki method, a technique where an artisan dyer draws directly onto cloth with rice paste, a material that resists dyed.

In this case we see a fragment of a design, the auspicious noshi or strips of dried abalone. The bottom third of this panel is resisted and shows both a pure white and a medium tone blue.

The cotton yarns of the woven cloth seem hand spun and there are flaws to the surface of the cotton: small holes and surface abrasion can be seen on the top 2/3 of the piece.

A beautifully abstract design on a lovely length of old cotton, this length of tsutsugaki dyed cloth is a wonderful piece of old Japan.

Recommended.