A Long Fragment of Thick Old Boro Cloth: Layers and Surface Abrasion

late nineteenth century
68" x 20", 173 cm x 51 cm

This long, narrow and very abraded sashiko stitched boro textile is a fragment taken from a large piece, perhaps a heath cover called a kotatsugake.

It is marvelous for its rich, worn texture on front and back, the result of years of hard use in a traditional Japanese home.

The front of the textile, highlighted here, is hand pieced from many fragments of cloth which are very close in tonal range and provide an visual composition that is subtle: the cotton fragments which are pieced together to form the skin of this piece are all old and show a beautiful patina from where.  The length is sashiko stitched in pale blue cotton thread which hold together four layers of cotton, so the cloth is thick.

Each of its two sides is beautiful and all the cloth on and in this piece is old and hand woven.

Please note that the centrally placed square patch on the center, back of this length is lightly tacked to the surface and is not perfectly secured.

A simply gorgeous boro cloth from old Japan.

Very recommended.