A Length of Shibori Dyed Cotton: Stylized Pine Trees

early to mid twentieth century
26" x 12", 66 cm x 30.5 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed cotton shibori that was produced in Arimatsu, one of the towns in Aichi prefecture that was a leading producer and innovator in the production of shibori. 

The pattern is moody with its blurred background of mokume shibori and with the floating, dark toned, highly stylized pine trees which are embedded into the field. And on the detail photo shown here look carefully to see that small bits of thread that were used to stitch the pine tree is still embedded in the cloth. A charming detail to be sure.

The stitched pattern is dyed onto a length of commercially loomed, fairly lightweight cotton and is in good, used condition.

Inventive.