A Length of Sparely Designed Katazome: Hand Spun Cotton Yarns

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
38" x 12 3/4", 96.5 cm x 32.5 cm

This is a length of indigo cotton that has been dyed in the katazome or stencil resist dye method. It shows a field of spare images that appear almost hieroglyphic in the way they are pared down and simplified.

We see a suggestion of interlocking circles, of tatewaku or rising steam that is accented with very small cherry blossoms and parallel bars, all rendered (for the most part) in dotted line.

The indigo is strong and rich and the cotton cloth is beautifully textured due to the hand spun yarns used to weave it.

An interestingly designed length of cloth with good age and visual interest.