A Length of Pictorial Kasuri: Spare, Strewn Images

early to mid twentieth century
29" x 13 3/4", 73.5 cm x 35 cm

This handsome length of kasuri dyed cotton is from a kasuri producing region called Sa'nin in Shimane prefecture.

The design of the cloth is based on vertical stripes and a smattering of symbols: a family crest of stylized wood sorrel, a flaming Buddhist pearl, a flower sprig and a sparrow.

The images are weft-based and are shown as a repeat. The cotton itself is a dark indigo color and the color of the stripes is difficult to show precisely in photographs. In reality they are a kind of lavender and mustard color.

This is a well-woven length and quite well-conceived and executed. It is a good quality length of egasuri or picture kasuri cotton showing an unusually designed pattern.