A Length of Patched and Faded Itajime Dyed Cotton: Asa No Ha

ca. mid twentieth century
44 1/2" x 12 1/2", 113 cm x 31.75 cm 

This is a soft and faded indigo dyed length of cotton, a length that has obviously been well-worn.

The piece is decorated in a clamp resist dyed method called itajime or kyoukechi where carved boards are used to exert pressure on to cloth, and these points of pressure are areas that resist dye, the result being a repeat pattern such as we see here.  For more on this method of dyeing, have a look here: 

There are two fairly large patches to the cloth and there is also an "L" shaped hole to the length.  There are ingrained, vertical creases to the panel which seem to indicate that this fragment was taken from a yukata, a casual kimono, or a futon cover that was stitched from discarded yukatas.

A simple yet lovely old textile, and one with a gentle personality.