A Shibori Dyed Baby Sling: Well-Worn Indigo Cloth from Northeastern Japan

early twentieth century
84" x 8", 213.5 cm x 20 cm

This is quite a good sized length of northern Japanese shibori cotton, coming from the Tohoku or Japan's rural northeast region. The cloth is creased laterally from wear as it was used to carry a baby.

The pattern is bold and simple: it is of slightly misshapen circles of various sizes and, characteristic of northern shibori, the indigo is deep in color which offsets the wonderful, resist dyed design. 

The undyed areas are not bright white and, as mentioned, the cloth is naturally pleated from wear. As well, to the bottom of one of the short lengths we see a vertically-oriented tear, illustrated here.

This is a beautiful length of old shibori dyed cotton with a strong visual presence and a wonderful history of use.

Recommended.