A Length of Deep Toned Katazome: Interesting Geometric Pattern

early twentieth century
26" x 13 1/2", 66 cm x 34 cm

This deeply toned, indigo dyed cotton length is done in the katazome or stencil resist dye method and it shows a peculiar pattern of geometric shapes, some of the seeming to be paving stone pattern. The images containing blurred images are a rich and unusual pattern.

The background pattern is a reference to another technique, called kasuri, and this one is the impossibly small design called kagusuri or mosquito kasuri. Quite interesting.

All in all this is an offbeat and very rare design to see in the katazome method, and one that draws attention because of it.