A Complex Boro Panel: Unfinished Weft Based Kasuri

late nineteenth century
52" x 13", 132 cm x 33 cm

This is an interesting, old length of indigo dyed cotton boro that was taken from a futon cover which originally may have been either a kimono or a yogi, a kimono-shaped duvet.

The cloth is stitched from four pieces and a seam runs down the center; there are 13 patches on this length, each of them a cotton equally old as the base cloth.

Note the interesting kasuri weaving: about 1/3 up the length the weft-based kasuri yarns are vacant and that part of the cloth shows only vertical stripes--an eye-catching detail and a beautiful bit of "imperfection" to this rustic length of indigo dyed cotton.

A beautiful, old length of cloth and one that speaks volumes on daily life in old Japan.

Recommended.