A Roll of Exceedingly Finely Hand Plied Hemp or Ramie: Deconstructed Kimono

late nineteenth century
11 1/2 yards x 12 1/2", 10.5 m x 32 cm

This is a good amount of very finely plied hemp or ramie cloth that is, in fact, an entire kimono that has been taken apart and stitched together as a roll, probably for the purpose of washing and/or re-dyeing. This method is called araihari.

That said, there are hand stitched seams along this length of 11 1/2 yards or 10.5 meters.

There is one diagonal seam, 5 horizontals (one shown the detail photo here), 1 vertical seam and two notches that go part of the way into the cloth, this is where the shoulder of the kimono folded over the body.

The cloth is dyed a deep indigo--and this may have happened after the kimono was taken apart and put together as it is here, the paper tag which is affixed to the piece is dyed indigo which indicates this.

The reconstructed roll of cloth shows no damage such as holes or staining and there is a very good amount of cloth to use for any number of applications.

Just wonderful.