A Beautiful Indigo Dyed Cotton Noren: Hand Spun Cottons

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
52 1/2" x 40 1/2", 133.5 cm x 103 cm

This is a noren which is a traditional Japanese curtain of sorts, one that was used either in doorways in lieu of a door or often hung in front of shops, functioning as a shop sign, as a signal the business was open, and to mark a transition from the outside world to an interior space.

This is a three panel noren that is completely hand stitched.  

It is made of absolutely beautiful hand loomed, indigo dyed cotton, the cotton being hand spun, a big plus when acquiring or assessing antique Japanese textiles.

The hand loomed cotton has the wonderful texture you would want to see in old, country cloth, and the rudimentary checked pattern also calls up a simple life in another time.

A really gorgeous yet subtle beauty from old Japan.

Recommended.