A Length of Cotton and Hemp Mosquito Netting: Indigo Dye

mid twentieth century
72" x 13 1/4", 180.5 cm x 33.5 cm

This is a length of kaya or traditional Japanese mosquito netting.

Kaya is laxly woven as modern-day screening is; in this case, the warp is of indigo dyed cotton and the weft is of undyed hemp: the result is a warm, blue one due to the optical color mixture of the blue and the wheat colors. The selvedges and tow centrally placed narrow stripes are the result of carefully placed white cotton warp yarns.

A lovely, handsome and subtle traditional Japanese textile.

Beautiful.