A Hemp and Cotton Two Panel Kaya: Patched Mosquito Netting

ca. mid twentieth century
80" x 27", 203 cm x 68.5 cm

This is a patched, long, two-panel length of kaya or traditional Japanese mosquito netting.

Kaya is laxly woven as screening is; in this case, the warp is of indigo cotton and the weft is of undyed hemp: the result is a warm, blue-green coloration due to the optical color mixture of the blue and the wheat colors.

Note on the proper, top, right of the piece there are two stains; also, the top of the piece is still a bit creased from years--or decades--of wear.

Three cotton patches are hand stitched as repairs to this piece, seen in the accompanying detail photographs.

A lovely, handsome and subtle traditional Japanese textile.

Beautiful.