A Length of Shirakage Shibori: Complex Dyeing and Pattern

early to mid twentieth century
60" x 13 1/2", 152.5 cm x 34.25 cm

This unusual zigzag shibori pattern was dyed in indigo on cotton in the shirakage technique which is difficult-to-achieve and yields a blue-on-white design.

In this case we see a set of vertical lines evenly spaced from selvedge to selvedge onto which is layered a zigzag pattern of dots. All the indigo slightly bleeds into the white cotton and two tones of blue can be seen.

This length was taken from a yukata which is an unlined, casual kimono often worn in summer. There are ingrained creases from wear and some very, very faint staining, almost unnoticeable, with an attempt to show them in the first detail photo after the lead image.

A lovely length of shirakage shibori this is done is a not-often-seen pattern.