A Large Re-Purposed Shibori Cloth: Otafuku, Tengu and Auspicious Symbols

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
50" x 45 1/2", 127 cm x 115.5 cm

This large square of indigo dyed cotton shibori shows a playful and bold arrangement of images scattered over its surface.

The shibori on the cloth is pictorial rather than of abstract patterns and it shows the mirthful, mythical Otafuku on the top, right and the sly trickster called Tengu, on the lower left. The two carry with them opposing meaning--Otafuku being lighthearted and Tengu dabbling in less good-natured acts--and both are well-loved and well-known images in Japan.

Along with these familiar images we also see  elements of a high nature, such fans associated with the tea ceremony, plum blossoms and other richly regarded traditional images.

It is uncertain how and why this cloth was made as it may very well have been put together from a re-purposed kimono or festival garb. It is stitched and patched in pieces and as you can see there are some breaks in image continuity in the cloth. 

Be aware, too, that for some reason each of Otafuku's dyed eyes has a hole.

It is suspected this cloth was made in Kyushu, although this has not been verified.

Still, this is a spectacularly interesting cloth with a very high degree of visual interest--not to mention it is embedded with serious traditional imagery.

Very recommended.