A Length of Wa Sarasa: Indian Motifs in Japanese Cloth

early to mid twentieth century
32" x 14 1/4", 81.5 cm x 36 cm

This is a length of wa sarasa or Japanese cloth that attempts to either mimic or suggest the motifs and techniques to be found in Indian trade cloth which in Japan is known as sarasa.

The type of cloth shown here was made popular during the 1920s and 30s and there are many variations: in this case we see Indian trade cloth motifs that have been stylized and assigned to horizontal lines which repeat on the cloth.

Interesting to note that the details to be found in this kind of "imitation" Indian trade cloth are done so with a certain amount of laxness in the way color is applied and images are filled with tone, just as is done in the original. 

It is amusing to look at details of this pattern, more so if you are familiar with Indian chintz whose design details correlate to some of those found here.

Charming.