A Multi-Colored and Patterned Boro Furoshiki: Stitching and Stains

mid twentieth century
32" x 34", 81 cm x 86.5 cm

A furoshiki is a traditional Japanese wrapping, hauling or storage cloth that is still very much used today. Often furoshiki are very square in shape where this one is slightly rectangular.

It shows two distinct sides. One side is of plain brown cotton with a family crest which is the original furoshiki.

The other side is pieced of multi-colored, commercially produced cottons that show a delightful array of black mending stitches. This pieced side was meant to strengthen the original furoshiki which obviously has weakened from age.

The clashing patterns and the softened colors of the multi-colored side of the furoshiki are beautiful. The meandering mending stitches done in black are wonderful to see and add greatly to the visual component of this already visually rich boro textile.

Please note some faint but visible staining some of which was attempted to be shown in detail photos here.

Like with many old furoshiki the center of this one is distended from years of use.

Delightful.