A Resist Dyed Furoshiki: Beautifully Arranged Patches

early twentieth century
46" x 47", 117 cm x 119.5 cm

This is an indigo dyed cotton furoshiki, a furoshiki being a traditional cloth used for hauling or storage. In this case the furoshiki is composed of four panels that are hand stitched together.

The indigo dye is dark and murky. It appears more grey or neutral in color than blue in tone. There is a faded, resist dyed family crest of a stylized bellflower in the upper right hand corner of the cloth.

In contrast to this and beautifully arranged against the family crest are three dark mending patches, rather perfect in their proportion and placement relative to the size of the furoshiki.

This is a very handsome and well-used cloth, a beautiful example of a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth.