A Two Panel Futon Cover Fragment: Patched Plaid and Kasuri

early to mid twentieth century
64" x 24", 162.5 cm x 61 cm

This is a charming, two-panel length of cloth which seems to have been taken from a futon cover.  What is so lovely about it is that it is a combination of two unlikely types of hand woven cotton: a very nice, pale blue plaid cloth against a kasuri or ikat cotton.

In old Japan, such combinations of cottons was customary as scraps were often used to fashion essential items for the home, such as futon covers.  What is wonderful is that we have this odd pairing still intact.

The two pieces are hand stitched together; on the kasuri cotton there is a line of machine stitching at the top.  The kasuri pattern shows what appear to be geometric, square-based designs intermixed with a stylized wisteria motif.

Just charming--and a lovely memory of old Japan.