A Fragment of Sakiori Weaving: Dark Toned Weft with Dense Pale Warp

mid twentieth century
14 3/4" x 14", 37.5 cm x 35.5 cm

This is a fragment of sakiori weaving, that is to say this is a piece of cloth that has been woven with a rag yarn weft and cotton warp.

Aside from its technique, what is interesting about this fragment is its interesting neutral color and how it was achieved. The thick cotton warp yarns a warm neutral tone and they are set close together. Three-quarters of the area of the weft yarns are deep in color tone while less than a quarter of them are orange in tone: by looking at this fragment it is evident how the warp yarns alter the color of the weft they are holding in place and this kind of coloring of the weft yarns by the warp is one of the myriad interesting aspects of weaving.

There is one, long rag yarn hanging loosely from the top of the fragment and this offers a glimpse into the structure of the cloth itself.

This is an understated yet beautiful fragment of traditional Japanese weaving.