A Length of Indigo Dyed Katazome Cotton: Spare, Lyrical Feeling

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
23 1/4" x 13", 59 cm x 33 cm

This length of hand spun, hand dyed, indigo katazome cotton shows a fairly spare or linear-style of design that shows a lyrical pattern of folding fans, cherry blossoms and stylized chrysanthemums.

The dyeing is a bit blurry, the images are not entirely clear and this adds an interesting visual effect that creates a rustic mood.

The cotton yarns are rich in thread flavor or ito aji as the Japanese call it. The length of the cotton piece and the type of pattern shown on it indicates that it was more than likely a han juban or half-under kimono when it was in service and being used.

The cotton is nicely textured and the type of pattern is not so usual to see.

Really lovely.