A Contrasting Length of Zanshi Cotton: Patched

ca. mid twentieth century
82" x 12 3/4", 208.25 cm x 32.5 cm

This is a quite long length of interesting-looking and quite beautiful hand loomed cotton that is notable for its unusual patterning of dark and light.

The dark and light patterning comes in rather awkward blocks, probably due to the fact that the cloth is what is called zanshi ori or cloth that is hand woven from leftover yarns.  Zanshi ori usually shows unusual proportions of stripes or checks due to the random feed of weft yarns during the weaving process.

The length is composed of two pieces that have been hand stitched together and is embellished by five separate patches--note as well that some of the leftover yarns which were used to weave this cloth were of pinkish and yellowish tones, which appear and disappear at random intervals and appear to be silk.  Note one, coin-sized hole in the pink silk thread area of the cloth, shown in the accompanying detail photos.

A good, old piece of cotton hand weaving, this boro length shows one of the countless faces of every day day cloth in the Japan of long ago, and one with unusual coloration and that shows good weaving. 

This length has a very nice, drapey hand.

Recommended.