A Length of Itajime or Kyoukechi Dyed Silk: Ultra Lightweight

early twentieth century
42" x 24", 106.5 cm x 61 cm

This is a fairly nice-sized area of exceedingly lightweight silk--it needs only a small breeze to have it flutter.

It is flyaway weight and was probably one piece used for one sleeve, the figured area being the outside and the plain area being the inside.

The pattern is the result of dyeing process called itajime or kyoukechi which is a resist dye technique which uses carved boards and applied pressure to resist the cloth in order to produce patterns. To see an example of one of the carved boards please go here.

As might be obvious the bright vermilion/scarlet tone of the cloth is due to synthetic dyes.

For the right project or the right application this is a lovely, delicate cloth with great color and a delightful pattern.