A Patched Length of Unusually Patterned Katazome: Squiggles

early twentieth century
42" x 12 1/2", 106.5 cm x 32 cm

This length of katazome dyed cotton that shows a repeat pattern of stylized wood sorrel set inside black and white hexagons against a background of wonderfully playful, two-toned squiggles.

The hexagonal designs are more than likely a reference to a family crest: in Japanese design the hexagon shape suggests tortoise shell which, in turn, conveys a wish for a long life (as tortoises live for such a long time).

Note the one, indigo dyed kasuri patch to the proper right hand side of the cloth--a nice visual contrast to the rest of the cloth which bears a wonderful, eccentric pattern.