A Translucent Hemp or Ramie Boro Futon Cover: Katazome Dyed

early to mid twentieth century
60" x 40", 152.4 cm x 101.5 cm

This beautifully pieced, patched and translucent textile was used as a futon cover--and as it is shown lit both from the front and from behind you see that its character changes dramatically depending on the lighting situation this textile finds itself in.

It is hand stitched from what must have been an almost-complete kimono: we see the narrow collar pieces, the shorter sleeve pieces, etc., which attest to the fact that this is a kimono that has been taken apart and has been re-purposed.

The cloth itself is a very nice, lightweight hemp or ramie cloth that was katazome dyed in a pattern meant to suggest kasuri weaving. The indigo tone is clear and attractive and the cloth itself shows a fair number of small holes, a few of which are documented on the photos attached here.

The surface is studded with cotton mending patches--and some pieces taken from the base cloth. The cotton patches are figured and are in bold contrast to the cloth they are repairing.

This is a glorious looking cloth that enjoys light and air but looks just as interesting when viewed head-on and appreciated for its cloth and its mending.

Recommended.