A Short Length of Men Kaya: Cotton Mosquito Netting

ca. early twentieth century
37" x 13 1/2", 94 cm x 34 cm

This short length of cotton gauze is a portion of a larger piece of cloth that was used as mosquito netting, or kaya as it called in Japan.  As this is woven from cotton, or momen, we can call this men kaya, to distinguish it from other kaya, as much of traditional Japanese mosquito netting is made of hemp.

Note two small mending patches and a burnished green color.  This green color is not from overdyeing of indigo, but rather it is from exposure to the elements and to a smoky household atmosphere: if you look carefully at the bottom portion of this piece, you will see that it is still the original blue color.

Lovely.