A Length of Indigo Cotton Zanshi ori: Leftover Yarn Weaving

late nineteenth century
59 1/2" x 13 1/4", 151 cm x 33.5 cm

Zanshi ori is cloth that is woven from threads either leftover from home production of yarn making, or from broken threads that were purchased from local commercial weavers.  Usually the weft is fed with these random threads while generally the warp is regulated producing an irregular horizontal 'striping'; if home threads are used, knotted slubs can often be seen.

This is a particularly good looking length of zanshi ori, notable for its rich indigo color tones and its fine design. The texture of the hand woven cloth is beautiful and the checked pattern is attractive, as is obvious.

At the top, center area of the cloth is a patched hole and this is illustrated on the accompanying photographs, but otherwise the length is in good condition.

Simply beautiful to look at and to admire.