A Length of Katazome Cotton: Stenciled on Two Sides

$55.00 USD

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
25 3/4" x 13", 65.5 cm x 33 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed katazome cotton that has been stenciled on both its sides, the intended result for taking the time and exerting artisanal expertise to well accomplish this difficult technique is to create a crisp image of contrasting tones.

The design here is hard to read because the images are small and sprinkled over the surface of the cloth in a confetti-like way. There seem to be indications of pine, bamboo, some kind of bird (possibly a stylized goose) and weeping branches, maybe willow or cherry.

Although it is not easy to read the symbols or designs resist dyed onto the cloth it is a  very attractive one at that, and it shows the ingenuity of the Japanese designer and their ability to translate traditional motifs into an infinite variety of ways.

Beautiful.

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