A Length of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Cranes and Cherry Blossoms

late nineteenth century
36" x 13", 91.5 cm x 33 cm

This length of cloth shows two traditional Japanese motifs, cranes and cherry blossoms.

Interesting, though, that the pattern is presented in such a way that it calls to mind Indian trade cloth which the Japanese revered and the upper echelons of Japanese society collected. It is very possible Indian trade cloth inspired this design.

The cloth is beautifully hand woven from hand spun yarns and therefore the texture is rich. The cranes are colored in with an orange-red tone which comes from an iron oxide-derived dye called bengara in Japan--bengara is a corruption of "Bengal."

The design is delicate and most appealing for that reason.

Just beautiful.