A Pair of Indigo Dyed Hand Spun, Hand Woven Cotton Pieces: Edo Period

mid nineteenth century
each panel: 31" x 9", 79 cm x 23 cm

This pair of simply adorned, hand spun, hand woven, indigo dyed cotton pieces are sleeves taken from the kimono of a child.

The cotton is well worn, and the wear and fading which is the result of constant use show the features of the hand woven cloth very nicely.

What is also attractive are two family crests which have been stencil resist dyed onto the cloth. They show the crest called tachibana in Japan, which is that of a stylized, Mandarin orange.

For sheer thread integrity, age and good quality old indigo, this pair is a great reminder of the handwoven cotton cloth of old Japan.