A Length of Indigo Dyed Cotton Boro: Tsutsugaki Detail
last nineteenth, early twentieth century
63" x 12 1/2", 160 cm x 31.5 cm
This is a lovely length of indigo dyed cotton cloth: the cotton seems to be hand spun and certainly it is hand loomed.
What is fairly obvious to see is a free hand resist dyed, or tsutsugaki, design that dominates this length of cloth. The form is a variant on the hana bishi or flower diamond, and by looking carefully you can see that this flower diamond is dyed a few shades lighter than the rest of the cloth.
Most likely this panel was taken from a futon cover or a yogi, a kimono-shaped duvet.
There are three patches which are hand applied to this length. By looking at the bottom section of the cloth you can see some nice light fading or fading from wear, and by looking at this area the home spun cotton yarns appear more obvious.
A very handsome length of indigo dyed cotton cloth, and one with good age.
Just beautiful.