A Length of Mame Shibori: Bean Pattern

early twentieth century
32" x 13", 81 cm x 33 cm

This is an indigo dyed cotton tenugui--a traditional, unfinished lightweight cotton towel--which has been shibori dyed in the absolutely charming pattern called mame, or bean,shibori, for obvious reasons.

Mame shibori is created by hand using a kind of "primitive" folding and dyeing mechanism, the result being this length of white cotton that is studded by even rows of small bean-sized stains of indigo dye.  

Just lovely and a wonderful, hand dyed cotton length of shibori. Some mild surface patina and fading with a very pale, small stain noticeable only on one side of this cloth.