A Length of Katazome Dyed Cotton: Fat Sparrows and Bamboo

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
32" x 12 3/4", 80 cm x 32.5 cm

This is an utterly charming length of old, "twice dyed," katazome cotton that shows a repeat pattern of large-scale fat sparrows against a background of bamboo.

The sparrows, when seen closely, show surprising details: each sparrow is composed of water images, primarily stylized waves.

The sparrow and bamboo image combination is classic in Japan as it relates to abundance, prosperity, resilience and family growth: sparrows are said to reproduce in large numbers and bamboo, because it bends but does not break, represents resilience. So not only is this pattern a charming one it is also one laden with good thoughts.

It is a lovely length of hand spun, hand woven cotton which is dyed in botanical indigo.

Just delightful.