A Length of Narumi Kongata: Stenciled Shibori Illusion

late nineteenth century
34 1/2" x 12 1/4", 87.5 cm x 31 cm

This is a length of patched Narumi kongata cotton: Narumi kongata is a kind of katazome dyeing that employs a set of stencils which, when resisted, creates an intentional, shibori-like effect as is the case on this example here.

Soft edges that are a kind of faux shibori are standard in the repertoire of Narumi kongata and this length of fairly light weight cotton shows this quality well. 

There is a dominant design of elaborately rendered dragons shaped as roundels which sit against a ground of interlocking diamonds (made to look like stitched shibori) inside of which are shibori-like cherry blossoms.

Vertical rows small, shibori style "spiderwebs" are a strong vertical design component.

The length is faded from wear but it is still a very handsome length that beautifully shows a complex type of stencil resist dyeing.