A Length of Jishiro Katazome: Hand Spun Cotton and Blue-on-White

late nineteenth century
30" x 13 1/4", 76 cm x 33.5 cm

This is a length of beautifully hand spun, hand woven cotton that has been dyed in the katazome technique. The bold, blue-on-white pattern is known as jishiro and attracts a slight bit more consideration than its more commonly-seen blue-on-white counterparts.

The pattern is that of cranes and tortoises--both symbols of long life--which are rendered as roundels and set against a background of crowded arabesque.

There is some slight light fading to small areas of indigo (not terribly noticeable) and some very faint haze of darkening of the white areas of cotton, also more noticeable on these photos than when seen in person.

In good, used condition this length of katazome dyed cotton shows a deep, indigo tone and a rustic, playful pattern.

Lovely.