A Set of Four Work Books: Process Details from a Kasuri Weaver

dated Meiji 36 or 1904
top left: 10" x 6", 25.5 cm x 15 cm
top right: 9 3/4" x 6 1/2", 24.75 cm x 16.5 cm
bottom left and bottom right: 8" x 6", 20 cm x 15 cm

These are four hand made washi books that come from a kasuri weaver in Nagano prefecture; the books bear the date of Meiji 36 or 1904.

Each of the four books shows different kinds of drafts and notes on how to plot the designs of hand woven kasuri: some show notations that appear almost algebraic while others are charming ink drawings which reference a grid and have assigned colors or symbols which are used as a guide.

More than likely these four books were randomly gathered from the kasuri weaver and probably do not form a complete "set." Rather they are probably a few of what we can imagine must have been many similar books that were used to create patterned hand woven cloth.

This is a great group for weavers to study or for those who would like to own something almost indecipherable but beautiful from a bygone era. 

Recommended.