A Length of Boro Zanshi ori: Patched Leftover Yarn Weaving

early twentieth century
55" x 12 1/2", 139.5 cm x 31.5 cm

Zanshi ori is cloth that is woven from threads either leftover from home production of yarn making, or from broken threads that were purchased from local commercial weavers.  Usually the weft is fed with these random threads while generally the warp is regulated producing an irregular horizontal 'striping'; if home threads are used, knotted slubs can often be seen.

This is a length of indigo dyed cotton zanshi ori that has been mended by cotton patches, about five in all.

The ground cloth is subtle and lovely: the warp yarns have created a stripe effect and the weft yarns are variegated due to them being leftover and used in no particular order. The base cloth shows some small snags and holes, most  noticeable only when the length is held against light.

A handsome length of old cotton, zanshi ori which is a good reminder that frugality and intentionality can yield a thing of beauty.

Wonderful.