A Generous Length of Shirakage Shibori: Stitching Threads Still Intact

early twentieth century
100" x 12 1/4", 254 cm x 31 cm

This is a very attractive and generously sized length of indigo dyed cotton shibori which has been dyed in the shirakage method, a kind of specialized stitched shibori that yields a blue-on-white pattern.

Because shirakage shibori is vat dyed and because there is so much white area on the cloth that needs to be hidden from the dye vat shirakage is known to be one of the more difficult types of shibori dyeing and one that requires great, practiced skill.

The large-scale repeat design is delicate and geometric and it recalls the famous pattern asa no ha or hemp leaf, a traditional Japanese design and one that has endless variation of scale, design and type.

What is fascinating about this length is that most of it still contains the original stitching that created the design: the cotton threads are still embedded in the cloth.

This is especially obvious on the last image shown here which is a view onto the back of the cloth and a stitched thread can still be seen.

This length was intended to be used to make a yukata or an unlined, casual cotton kimono.

Overall the condition is quite good and since there are stitching threads still present in the cloth we can assume this was never used.

Recommended.