A Full Bolt of Indigo Dyed Cotton Shibori: Mid Twentieth Century

mid twentieth century
slightly over 8 yards x 5"-10 1/2" varying widths along the length
about 7.5 m x 13 cm x 26.5 cm in varying widths along the length

This is a full, unused bolt of indigo dyed cotton that was dyed in the shibori method. The bolt was intended to be stitched to create a yukata, an unlined, casual kimono.

This very puckered and boldly-patterned shibori is of the type produced in Narumi or Arimatsu which are two adjoining towns which for centuries were the center of shibori dyeing in Japan.

The narrow width of this length is due to a bolt of normal width (13" or 33 cm) which has been pulled tight due to all the tying which was exerted on the lightweight cotton cloth to create the floral pattern we see here. There are areas on this length where the width shrinks to almost 5" or 7.5 cm: in these areas the puckering from the tied shibori is extra noticeable.

A lovely bolt of endless possibilities.