Two Stitched Panels of Ethereal Silk Itajime Dyed Cloth: Benibana or Safflower

late nineteenth century
51" x 23 1/2", 129.5 cm x 59.5 cm

This is an extremely lightweight crepe silk that has been dyed with safflower or benibana dye in the itajime method. The silk is almost ethereal in the way it will flutter or react to the slightest breeze; it is purposefully delicate in its weave.

Itajime is a laborious and ingenious dyeing process using hand carved wooden boards: a full bolt of cloth is clamped under great pressure between the boards. A tall stack contains the entire bolt which is set in between all the boards. The stack holding the cloth is secured and is then lowered into a dye bath: the parts of cloth that are highly pressurized by the raised parts of the boards resist dye.

This is two pieces joined together by a central, vertical patch. The images is that of mountains and cherry blossoms with geese flying overhead.

The safflower color is still strong and even and the pattern or repeat design is delightful to look at.

In good, used condition this is a very nice, generously-sized piece of itajime dyed silk.