A Length of Katazome Boro Cloth: Wide Striped Patches

early twentieth century
56 1/2" x 13", 143.5 cm x 33 cm

This is a length of patched and mended, indigo cotton which has been stencil resist dyed in the katazome method.  The pattern resisted onto the cloth is that of a repeat of lush chrysanthemums, a ghost image of which can be seen on the side shown here, which is the "wrong" side of the cloth.

The cotton is old and worn well as can be seen by the surface patina, the light fading, the tattered edges, the small hole and the large, striped cotton patches that are used to repair and reinforce this length.

The wide-striped cotton patches are a very nice contrast to the powder-blue katazome ground--and if you look at the largest patch you will see some very free sashiko stitching which has been used to affix this patch to the base.

A lovely old piece of boro cloth, beautiful for its katazome base and for the bold contrast of its patches.