A Pair of Boro Tattsuke-Style "Shorts": Patched Kasuri

early to mid twentieth century
as shown, height x width of waist: 22" x 18", 56 cm x 45.5 cm

This is a pair of short tattsuke, a kind of loose-fitting work trousers that tie at two sides of the waist which seem to have been worn primarily in the early to mid twentieth century.

This pair is shown inside-out in order to display its patches, which play nicely against the indigo dyed ikat base cloth of the short tattsuke.

The waist band is made of recycled cotton and more than likely the tattsuke are as well--two types of kasuri dyed cotton are used on this pair. The patches, around ten in all, are hand stitched to the base cloth.

The legs are finished with what seem to be exhausted elastic banding, however this feature has lost its purpose.

A really charming and unusual pair of folk clothing from another time in Japan.

Recommended.