A Length of Tsutsugaki Dyed Cotton: Wisteria
early twentieth century
68" x 13", 173 cm x 33 cm
This is a sliver of, or one panel from, an indigo dyed cotton tsutsugaki futon cover.
The image of the full futon cover is only partially seen here; it would have been a large, central family crest that depicts stylized wisteria surrounded by a narrow trailing vine motif.
The cotton is well-worn and shows an overall patina from age. There are some very faint stains in the white, undyed areas of the wisteria image, shown on the detail photos that accompany this post.
The panel is beautifully graphic in its appeal and shows one of the several Japanese folk dyeing techniques, tsutsugaki.
Lovely.