A Fragment of Safflower Dyed Hemp or Ramie: Benibana

early twentieth century
34" x 6", 86.5 cm x 15 cm

This rich pink colored length of ramie cloth was taken from a kimono and it was dyed in benibana or safflower dye. It is approximately half a loom width, or more exactly, it is one full loom width cut more or less down the center and this is one half of the full width. There is one selvedge edge and one cut edge.

Safflower dye can take on many colors, from pale yellow to raging fuchsia depending on the way the dyestuff is processed and what mordant is used to set the dye.

In this case of this fragment, we see a rich, bright pink color, a kind of almost-fuchsia that is has a slightly cool cast to it. The color is just beautiful.

As safflower dyed cloth is light fugitive this fragment should be protected from long exposure to light.

It is a wonderful study piece for natural dyers or for collectors of Japanese folk textiles; the condition is good and the color is striking.

Recommended.