A Length of Kasuri Dyed Cotton: Rectangles of Sankuzushi

early to mid twentieth century
38 1/12" x 10 1/2", 98 cm x 27 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed cotton that is not as wide as it was when it was originally woven, one of the selvedges is missing, probably because this length was taken from an item that was stitched in such a way that it necessitated this narrow type of cloth.

The pattern is highly unusual in that it shows rectangles edged in kasuri dyed cotton, the inside of which are shown two patterns: one is grid and the other is sankuzushi, or a kind of "basket weave" motif that was popular in the 19th century.

As can be plainly seen there is a notch missing from the selvedge edge as well as a small pinch of loss above it.

The indigo is so dark as it reads almost black and aside from the obvious loss of cotton as described above this length is in good, used condition.

Very unusual!