A Length of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Cherry Blossoms and Arabesques

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
32" x 13 1/4", 81.5 cm x 33.5 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed cotton katazome that bears a lyrical, light hearted design showing stylized cherry blossoms against a background of trailing vine or arabesque.

The cloth is beautifully woven and the length shows several repeats of this wonderful large-scale design which bears one of the most cherished design images in Japan, that of the cherry blossom whose fleeting beauty marks many beginnings, both in the Japanese year and in the Japanese psyche.

There is a small, light colored smudge of sorts on the bottom of the length which is shown in the accompanying detail photo. The length is in good, used condition and its design is loaded with charm and life.