A Length of Deeply Dyed Tsutsugaki Cotton: Lone Image of a Cloud

late nineteenth century
37" x 12 1/2", 94 cm x 32 cm

This is a length of heavily woven, hand spun cotton cloth that has been dyed in the tsutsugaki--or free hand drawing--method and it shows a single, stylized cloud.

The cloth was no doubt taken from a larger textile, presumably a sleeping kimono or yogi, so this lone image of a cloud would have been incorporated into a more complete scene or image.

The indigo dye is deep and rich and the cloud is charming to look at. Seen from a distance this single-imaged length of cloth has a graphic appeal and the placement of the cloud in proportion to the size of the cloth itself is wonderful to look at.