A Faded Noren Panel: Resist Dyed Shop Sign

This lovely length of indigo dyed, heavy canvas-like cotton has been very much weathered from exposure to light and the elements, which gives it its rich patina and its faded color.

This is one panel from a resist-dyed noren, a kind of curtain that is hung outside shops and restaurants, announcing the name of the establishment, and, when displayed, announcing that the establishment is open for business.

This one does not show the selvedge edges; it may be a commercially produced cotton and the long edges seem to have been cut.   

As has been noted above,there is light fading to the piece; the top third of the piece is quite faded while the bottom two thirds is fairly dark with indigo.  Where the fading is concerned, the original, deep, indigo color has faded and oxidized to a soft, grey-blue tone. 

A really lovely memory of old Japan.