A Length of Kasuri Asa Cloth: Kimono Panel

ca. early to mid twentieth century
112" x 13 1/4", 284.5 cm x 33.5 cm

This is a lovely--and very long--length of indigo dyed hemp cloth which has been dyed in the kasuri or ikat method.

With ikat dyeing, the yarns are tied in intervals before dyeing--the tied portions of the yarn resist dye and, when woven, the dyed and undyed areas of yarn will join together to form a pattern.

The pattern on this cloth is beautiful and simple: checked double kasuri dots in regularly spaced intervals dot the length of the cloth, and these checks are separated by simple, vertical lines of white yarn.  Just lovely.

This piece of cloth was taken from a kimono, as can be seen by the hand stitched patch applied in the center of this length.

The bottom are of the cloth--about a half-meter's worth--shows a handful of small holes, and one rather large one, all illustrated in the accompanying detail photographs.

Really lovely, classic kasuri.