A Group of Three Sashiko Fragments: Tohoku Stitching

ca. early to mid twentieth century
large fragment: 11 1/2" x 6", 28 cm x 15.25
two small fragments, each: 4 3/4" x 4 3/4", 12 cm x 12 cm

Shown here are three fragments of sashiko stitched cotton.  The largest piece shows a complex, diamond pattern, white-on-blue, which is stitched on a cut fragment of several layers.

The two smaller pieces are layered blue squares showing blue on blue stitching and these are likely gussets taken from under a sleeve.

The larger piece of white-on-blue stitching clearly was made to reinforce a garment; it is possible that it was taken from a sledge hauling vest from Yamagata Prefecture, similar to this one here, but this is just an educated guess, as likely as it is.

An interesting little group of hand stitched cloth from a rural area of old Japan.

Charming.