A Length of Northern Shibori: Grasses, Flowers and Butterflies

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
57" x 12 1/2", 145 cm x 31.75 cm

This is a length of deeply toned indigo dyed shibori cotton of a type that was produced in northern Japan: this kind of shibori is characterized by stark white designs on a dark blue background.

The cotton is tightly woven and is drapey in the hand. The images evoke the autumn season with its repeat pattern of garden scene of fall grasses, Chinese bellflowers and butterflies.

The cloth is in used condition with a patched hole to the bottom, left-hand side; as can be see in the accompanying detail photo the patch to this hole has loosened.

Very nice.