A Patched and Repaired Sashiko Stitched Furoshiki: Hand Spun Cotton

early twentieth century
62" x 62", 157.5 cm x 157.5 cm

This beautifully stitched, well-repaired and slightly still-tattered Japanese folk textile is made of hand spun indigo dyed cotton and is extravagantly sashiko stitched on its four corners.

The stitching is lavish in the area it covers on the cloth. Two opposing corners show the chrysanthemum motif. The other two show different motifs: one shows a stitched name which is overlaid onto a jagged lozenge-shaped design. On the opposite corner we see an interesting, mountain-shape that shows five distinct designs that are put together to form one image. Really interesting.

As can be easily seen there is quite a lot of patched mending to the proper interior of the piece. As can also be seen there are still some un-mended holes and tears and this aspect of the cloth is documented in the accompanying detail photos.

The actual cotton itself is fairly lightweight and drapey, and some of the patches on the surface of the cloth are of a slightly heavier weight than the base. 

This square shaped cloth is a furoshiki. 

A furoshiki is a traditional wrapping, storage or hauling cloth, and this one has been used hard.  Its surface is distressed from wear, but remarkably the sashiko stitching is still very intact, if not interrupted by the patched repair.

A wonderful boro sashiko textile with good age and good, hand spun cotton cloth.

Recommended.