A Beautifully Darned and Resist Dyed Furoshiki: Japanese Butterfly

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
54" x 50", 137 x 127 cm

This is a good-sized, hand spun, hand woven, indigo dyed tsutugaki furoshiki, a furoshiki is a traditional cloth used for the wrapping, hauling and storage of goods. Furoshiki are still widely used all over Japan.

The hand resisted design on the bottom, left hand corner of the furoshiki is that of a butterfly, a Japanese symbol that carries not much significance other than it is a symbol of beauty and elegance. However, one of the charming things about the Japanese depiction of butterflies is that their face is always shown, and there is delight in this.

The aspect of this cloth that is even more charming, though, is the white, visible darns that are seen all over the cloth and which are amply illustrated here. They function as small specks of light or illumination that enliven the indigo dyed surface of the cloth and add immeasurable visual interest to it.

The cloth is in good condition and it is old, certainly over 100 years.

The overall effect of the darns or mends to the cloth is something wonderful and is one of the key attractions of this very old wrapping cloth.

Recommended.