A Cotton Patched Noragi: Stripes on Stripes

ca. early to mid twentieth century
36" x 36", 91.5 cm x 91.5 cm

This is a cotton noragi, or work coat, that is a study in subtlety and graphic beauty.

The base cloth of this coat is a wide-striped woven cotton; the tones of the overall surface of the coat is variegated in soft clouds of light fading--and this is punctuated by a marvelous stripe-on-stripe collage of patches of the same material, but in darker, clearer tones, the result of them not being as light faded as the base cloth.  Quite a fascinating play of graphics.

The sleeves of the coat are short and unfinished; it seems likely at one point they were longer and that they were each torn to make two sleeves of the same length.

The large, centrally-placed patch on the proper back of the coat is applied using a sewing machine; the jacket and the rest of the patches are entirely hand-stitched.

Note the lovely length of hand woven indigo dyed cotton that is used as a partial lining.

A gorgeous jacket, still very wearable, and one with a rich yet subtle stripe-on-stripe visual play.

Recommended.