A Generous Length of Linden Fiber Cloth: Mesh Weave

early twentieth century
76" x 14 1/2", 193 cm x 37 cm

This is a length of hand plied, hand woven shinafu, which is a traditional Japanese bast fiber-based cloth that is woven from yarns processed from the inner bark of the linden tree.

Shinafu usually shows a copperish or reddish tone, its yarns are wiry and scratchy and often shinafu was used for utilitarian textiles because of the strength and durability of its fibers. Blueish-green stripes are not quite evenly spaced across the width of this length.

Because this is a length of mesh cloth it would make sense that this is a section taken from a kaya or from mosquito netting.

This is a marvelous opportunity to own a handsome piece of collectible shinafu which is both hand plied and is woven in the leno technique. Please have a look at the detail photos for evidence of its ply joins, all done by hand.

Recommended.