A Panel of Hand Spun Cotton: Tsutsugaki Sliver

late nineteenth century
62" x 12 1/4", 157.5 cm x 31 cm

This is section of a larger piece, probably a futon cover or a yutan which is a furniture cover, that has been dyed in the tsutsugaki method.

The cloth is of hand spun, hand woven cotton and it shows a section of a family crest depicting stylized oak leaves. The color of the cotton is greenish, due to indigo being overdyed with a yellow dye, in this case, both are of botanical origin.

The cotton is slightly pitted--shown in detail photos--but not terribly so, and this is in keeping with its age and the fact that it was used in someone's home in old Japan.

This is a graphically appealing panel which shows a nicely done traditional technique on good quality hand woven cotton.