A Shirakage Shibori Jacket: Blue on White

mid twentieth century

Shoulder to hem: 24", 61 cm 
Sleeve tip to sleeve tip: 46", 117 cm

This is a really lovely, indigo dyed, shibori cotton jacket; presumably it was once worn a han juban or a half under-kimono.

The technique is shirakage shibori, a complex, stitched shibori in which the white areas of the cloth must be ingeniously tucked and hidden before the entire piece is dyed in order for them to retain their bright white color and to allow for the narrow indigo pattern to emerge from the dye bath.

In this case the pattern is that of large-scale diamonds and evenly-spaced vertical lines.  The intersecting diagonals are punctuated by a deep, indigo colored spot the size of a coin.

The indigo color is rich and vibrant and, perhaps more importantly, the whites are very clear of any stray indigo staining.

This wonderful, short jacket is entirely hand stitched and is in good condition.  The cotton seems to be hand loomed.  Just a few, pin head sized faint brown stains, consistent with the age of the piece.

Recommended.