A Length of Gauzy Hand Spun Cotton: Mid 19th Century Katazome

mid nineteenth century
20 3/4" x 12 1/2", 52.5 cm x 31.5 cm

This is soft, gauzy length of hand spun, hand woven cotton whose yarns are so textured and whose weave is so open that it is not easy to see the katazome pattern which is slightly blurred by the woven cloth's surface.

The pattern shows a labyrinthine grid that snakes on the surface of the cloth, the grid aiming to look like tied shibori. Vignetted in the spaces between the lattice are chidori or plovers, waves and what appear to be plum blossoms. The color is a kind of mustardy-ochre with reddish details, all soft in tone.

This type of cloth seems to belong very much to the late Edo period (1603-1867) and if you are lucky enough to acquire it you will very much enjoy its soft, hand woven texture.
One small mark at top, shown on the third photo here.