A Tabbed and Layered Shibori Textile: Distinctive Brushed Cotton
late nineteenth century
12" x 22", 30.25 cm x 56 cm
This tabbed textile--perhaps a short apron; perhaps something else--is made of a very particular type of twill-woven, brushed cotton that is sometimes referred to as mokka. Although in the past, in Japan, cotton was not woven nor produced in the northern regions, mokka was said to be woven in the north.
In this case we see it with a beautifully blotchy and regular indigo shibori dye.
The cloth is folded on to itself so this piece is two layers thick. One side, the side shown in lead photos is fairly clear or snags or damage. The other side, shown in detail in later photos, shows repair.
The texture of the cloth is heavy and somewhat rough. This is very definitely a very specific type of folk textile that was not produced in great quantity, making this example a fine and desirable one.
Recommended.