A Length of Edo Komon Cotton: 19th Century Katazome Cloth
ca. mid to late nineteenth century
55" x 13 1/2", 139.5 cm x 34 cm
This length of katazome or stencil resist dyed cotton is referred to as Edo komon: komon is an all-over pattern and this kind of small figured cloth was popular during the late Edo period, or the late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth century.
This cloth was well-used, it shows patina and scuffing from wear, and the length is sewn from two different pieces; it appears that the top piece shows a variant on the tsuta or ivy motif while the longer of the two pieces shows a kashiwa kamon or oak leaf motif. In each case the pattern is minuscule in size.
Note the images of the reverse side, shown here--which detail the patching and mending done to this length: the result is a kind of starkly patched, very dark boro cloth.
This is a wonderful and fascinating piece of old, hand spun and hand loomed cotton.
Just beautiful.