A Pieced Length of Katazome Cotton: Tortoiseshell Motif and Patches

early twentieth century
66" x 14", 167.5 cm x 35.5 cm

This is a length of indigo dyed cotton katazome cloth, the length is hand stitched from two pieces.

The pattern is based on a repeat of interlocking hexagons. This six-sided shape is a reference to tortoiseshell, a motif that references tortoiseshell and therefore conveys a wish for long life. Inside each of the hexagonal cells is a stylized chrysanthemum--stylized chrysanthemums can also be seen at the intersections of the hexagon shapes.

The cloth is patched and some of the dyeing is imperfect. We see a horizontal band of stray indigo dye at the seam of the two pieces and in other places we see how the dyeing stencils were misaligned and do not create a seamless pattern; there is a break in the flow of the pattern.

There are a few small patches affixed to the surface of the piece which is of generous length and quite beautiful design.