A Length of Kurume Kasuri: Geometry, Castles, Geese

early to mid twentieth century
56" x 13 1/4", 142 cm x 33.5 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed kasuri cloth from Kurume, an area in Kyushu that is known for its boldly geometric woven kasuri.

Kurume gasuri often shows large, bold geometric designs where both warp and weft are resist dyed in order to form a pattern or image. In this case we see two graphic, stepped images--classic Kurume gasuri motifs--set in relation to a weft-based picture kasuri which depicts a fairly well-detailed castle and a pair of flying geese.

There is a patched repair to the bottom of the length and there is a nick on the selvedge on one side. Otherwise this piece is in good, used condition with its indigo still fairly rich in tone.

Lovely.