A Length of Highly Unusual Katazome Cotton: Impossibly Rare Design

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
36" x 13 1/2", 91.5 cm x 34 cm

As is probably immediately understood by looking at this length of indigo dyed katazome cotton, the resist dyed design is highly unusual, very rare, and were it not made from stencils you could say the pattern is unique. 

It is a curious pairing of cranes rendered as roundels with a larger, very bold, very tightly wound spiral spun from a continuous, narrow white line. The two images seem not to relate to each other either stylistically nor symbolically.

Cranes in Japanese design signify a wish for a long life and as cranes mate for life they also are a symbol of conjugal fidelity. The spiral as depicted here has a mysterious appeal, certainly it suggests some kind of historical reference, but that is not surprising since spirals are primordial in their form.

In any case this is a highly unusual katazome dyed cotton length and one that is as intriguing as it is rare.

Recommended.