A Beautifully Colored Two Panel Zanshi Panel: Patched

early twentieth century
66" x 27 1/2", 167.5 cm x 70 cm

Zanshi  is cloth that is woven from threads either leftover from home production of yarn making, or from broken threads that were purchased from local commercial weavers.  Usually the weft is fed with these random threads while generally the warp is regulated producing an irregular horizontal 'striping'; if home threads are used, knotted slubs can often be seen.

This length is hand stitched together from two panels which were taken from the same bolt of cloth: by comparing them side-by-side it is clear to see how much variation of patterning existed in one bolt because of the use of leftover yarns for the weft.

The colors used in the weft are beautiful: a combination of blues, greys and browns in arbitrary blocks and placement.

Two patches are hand stitched to the surface of this cloth which add a bit more variation to the overall color palette and the general texture of the very beautiful length.

In good condition, this is a wonderfully handsome zanshi cloth.

Recommended.