A Length of Zanshi and Kasuri Cotton: Rich Blue

early to mid twentieth century
58" x 12 3/4", 147.5 cm x 32.5 cm

This is a really lovely length of hand loomed, indigo dyed cotton that has been woven using the kasuri technique, meaning, where the yarns of the fabric were resisted before they were dyed.

What is interesting about this length--aside from its wonderful, repeat pattern, its good color and its lovely hand--is that there is a flickering of light flecks in the weft area of the cloth, an indication that leftover kasuri yarns were used to feed the weft, resulting in this flecked, tonal result.  This is why this cloth is described as both kasuri and zanshi.

As can be easily seen in the accompanying photographs there is a small but prominently placed area of loss on the length and also on near the top two corners; the length also shows one small, indigo dyed kasuri patch to the proper upper, right hand side.

Super lovely and more complex than meets the eye.