A Length of Old Safflower Dyed Hemp or Ramie Cloth: Benibana

early twentieth century
48" x 11 1/2", 122 cm x 29 cm

This rich, pink-toned length of ramie cloth was taken from a kimono and it was dyed in benibana or safflower dye. Its texture is slightly wrinkled all over, an intentional result of a specific type of weaving.

Safflower dye can take on many colors, from pale yellow to raging fuchsia, depending on the way the dyestuff is processed and what mordant is used to set the dye.

In this case of this fragment, we see a luxurious pink color, a kind of almost-fuchsia that is has a slightly cool cast to it. The color is just beautiful.

As safflower dyed cloth is light fugitive this fragment should be protected from long exposure to light.

It is a wonderful study piece for natural dyers or for collectors of Japanese folk textiles; the condition is good and the color is striking. This is a generously-sized length of old benibana dyed ramie.

Recommended.