A Length of Ryukyu Kasuri: Indigo Dyed Cloth from Okinawa

early twentieth century
62" x 13 1/2", 157.5 cm x 34 cm

This beautifully designed kasuri cotton length shows two tones of indigo dye, and as this is traditional weaving from the Ryukyu Islands or Okinawa, we should assume the dye is of local origin, called Ryukyu-ai.

The pattern is straightforward yet complex and is based on images made of both warp and weft, or "double kasuri."

The images woven into the cloth are particular to Okinawa and what might not be obvious is that the weaving traditions of Japan were very much inspired by the cloth of the Ryukyu kingdom and traces of this can be found in the refined textiles called Echigo jofu, for example.

Just wonderful.