A Length of Patched Indigo Zanshi ori: Leftover Yarns in Warp and Weft

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
57" x 13", 145 cm x 33 cm

Zanshi ori, is cloth that is woven from threads either leftover from home production of yarn making, or from broken threads that were purchased from local commercial weavers. 

Usually the weft is fed with these random threads while generally the warp is regulated producing an irregular horizontal 'striping'; if home threads are used, knotted slubs can often be seen.

This length shows nicely spaced, wide warp-oriented stripes and a rich field of random, horizontal-oriented stripes which is the result of the warp being fed leftover yarns. It is a very good example of zanshi ori for this reason and for its good age.

Note the tear to the piece, illustrated here, and a snag, also shown, along with some handsome patching which can be seen primarily to the top third of the length.

This is a very good looking length of old zanshi ori and is illustrative of its genre.