A Large Striped Cotton Boro Furoshiki Fragment: Patches and Sprays of Small Holes

early twentieth century
68" x 47", 172.75 cm x 119.25 cm

This large, patched cotton cloth represents what appears to be a bit more than 3/4 of a traditional furoshiki, a wrapping/hauling/carrying cloth that was used all over Japan on a daily basis.

The base cloth is a lovely, woven stripe that is colored with indigo and brown.  The left-hand border is detailed with two simple rows of white cotton sashiko stitching, the aim of this application is to prevent this exposed edge from tearing.

The cloth is well-patched in cottons that seem to be contemporary with each other and are configured in a subtle and artful manner.

An important detail to note is that aside from the fairly prominent, coin-sized hole to the right hand side of this furoshiki, the entire surface is covered in a light spray of tiny holes, the effects of time.

Still, this is a really lovely, good-looking and good-sized boro cloth from old Japan.