A Length of Indigo Dyed Katazome Cotton: Unusual Pattern

late nineteenth century
42" x 13 1/2", 106.5 cm x 34.25 cm

This is a length of old katazome dyed cotton which is hand woven from beautifully textured hand spun yarns. It shows a wonderfully moody color tone and its pattern is seems to be a spin on the traditional Buddhist design of interlocking circles called shippo tsunagi in Japan.

The palette is dark in tone and there is wear to the piece in the form of light fading and surface abrasion. Because this wear seems to be centered on the middle of the length it makes one think that this length was once a sleeve on a garment. If so, the garment more than likely would have been a kimono-shaped duvet called a yogi.

This highly unusual depiction of the motif of shippo tsunagi makes this length interesting and desirable; its desirability is further enhanced by the wonderful hand spun cotton yarns that form the base cloth of this inventively designed length of old katazome dyed cotton.

Recommended.