A Hand Sashiko Stitched Blanket Weight Kotatsugake: Hearth Covering

mid twentieth century
55" x 56", 140 cm x 142 cm 

This good-sized cotton cloth is a kotatsugake which is a cover for a traditional brazier. As the kotatsu (brazier) was placed under a table, this kind of heavy cloth cover was used to keep the heat contained so a family could sit around it while covering their legs and enjoying some heat.

This kotatsugake is entirely sashiko stitched from mainly large-scale plaid cotton cloth, a different one used on each of its two sides. The kotatsugake seems to be fashioned from about three layers of cloth and the vertically-oriented sashiko stitching is seen in column about 1" or 2.5 cm apart from one another. Note a few small mends to the more monochrome side of the kotatsugake, probably done before the piece was stitched as we see it now.

This old kotatsugake can be used on a bed or a sofa--and it can also be used as an area rug in a low traffic part of your home.

Traditional and beautiful.