A Beautifully Worn Sakiori Apron: Indigo Dyed Rag Woven Work Garment

early twentieth century
16" x 24", 40.5 cm x 61 cm

What a beautifully worn every day garment--this is an indigo dyed cotton sakiori apron which was made using cotton rags as its weft material. The warp also seems to be of cotton.

Aprons were worn all the time in old Japan by all classes of people, especially working people.

Women at home wore them to do housekeeping, men and women farmers and tradesmen wore them, shopkeepers wore them--in the past, aprons or maekake were part of one's daily clothing, and, still, today, many people today in Japan wear aprons on a daily basis.

This one is thickly woven and very well-used: the wear, abrasion and light fading to this piece is rich in warmth and history and adds tremendously to our appreciation of it or, perhaps more accurately, these features are the cause of our appreciation of it.

It is simple and beautiful and it seems to have captured something of the spirit of the person who wore it no doubt over a great deal of time.

Recommended.