A Length of Jishiro Katazome: Large Scale Pattern and Hand Spun Cotton

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
64" x 13", 162.5 cm x 33 cm

This generous-sized length of old katazome cloth is called jishiro because it is blue-on-white, not as most katazome designs are which are white-on-blue. It is hand stitched from two separate pieces of the same cloth.

The length shows an unusual, large scale pattern of pairs of deeply toned family crests against a background of chrysanthemums that are shown as a repeat pattern of diamonds, the contrast between the bold and graphic images in the foreground against the delicate design in the background is worth noting.

Worth noting as well are two buttonhole-sized tears to the piece, shown in the detail photos.

The length is hand woven from hand spun cotton yarns and it is in good, used condition.