A Length of Katazome Cotton: Pine Bark Pattern

early to mid twentieth century
49 1/2" x 14 1/4", 126 cm x 36 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed kasuri cotton that shows a pattern of zigzag-bordered lozenge shapes done in varying tones and shades of blue. This traditional Japanese pattern is called matsukawabishi or the pine bark pattern.

The cloth is tightly woven and of good weight; it seems to have been woven on a commercial loom, but one of those old fashioned, low-tech types that much of Japan's kasuri cloth was woven on in the 20th century. 

The design is wonderful as is easily seen here. The length was taken from an unlined kimono so it has ingrained creases on each side running from top to bottom.

This matsukawabishi pattern is rendered in a fairly unusual, multi-tonal way here and is undoubtedly visually appealing.