A Generously Long Piece of Okinawan Kasuri: Wonderful Pattern

early twentieth century
62" x 13 1/4", 157.5 cm x 33.5 cm

This beautifully designed length of indigo dyed cotton kasuri cloth was made in Okinawa, one of the great weaving and dyeing centers in the world, and a place that has had tremendous influence on the textile traditions of Japan.

The design of the pattern is unmistakably Okinawan and it is woven in regularly spaced rows in good scale to the length.

Kasuri cloth from Okinawa, in particular, had a huge effect on Japanese weaving, especially as can be seen in the fine-as-silk ramie weaving from Niigata prefecture called Echigo jofu. Echigo area, a cold and rural part of north eastern Japan, was situated extremely remotely from tropical Okinawa yet there was direct trade between the two places, thus, the cloth of Okinawa influenced the weavers of Echigo. A remarkable story.

There are a few small pits to the surface of the cloth here and there but over all the color is strong, the cloth is sturdy and the design is gratifying to behold.

Recommended.