A Length of Zanshi Cloth: Cotton and Missing Weft Yarns

ca. late nineteenth, early twentieth century
62" x 13 3/4", 157.5 cm x 35 cm

This is an interesting length of hand woven zanshi fabric, or cloth woven from left over yarns.

The warp is composed of alternating bands of blue and white.  The weft is fed with blues and thin bands of red yarn, the red dye seeming to be a bit unstable as it appears to bleed a bit around itself.

Interesting to note are the areas of missing weft which appear on the piece and which are shown on the accompanying photographs: upon close inspection it is unclear whether this is intentional or not, but the effect is attractive.  This length of cloth is heavily starched (sometimes the case with old Japanese cloth) so it is a bit stiff to the touch.

A lovely and unusually attractive length of hand weaving from old Japan.