A Length of Faded Sankuzushi Cotton: "Basket Woven" 19th Century Cloth

late nineteenth century
55" x 13", 139.5 cm x 33 cm

This old cotton fragment is made from a type of woven cotton cloth which was popular in mid-to-late nineteenth Japan.

The pattern is a resembles basket weave or a "split bamboo mat." Referred to as sankuzushi, this "woven" pattern which was produced in myriad variation. In this case, the scale of the sankuzushi pattern is very small. Sometimes the pattern is larger, sometimes it is shown mixed in with plaids.

Sankuzushi seems to have its origin in India; it seems to have then been adapted by the Chinese. No wonder this beautiful cloth found its way to Japan and was produced there by native hands.

Because sankuzushi was so popular in the 19th century we know this is an old kimono fragment. Because this particular piece has been re-used over its life time you will see there are zones of light fading on the piece and ingrained creases. And there is a really handsome patch with great stitching.

It is a beautiful length of cloth from 19th century Japan.