A Two-Panel Boro Textile: Zanshi ori or Left Over Thread Weaving

early to mid twentieth century
49" x 25", 124.5 cm x 63.5 cm

This two panel boro textile is made from zanshi ori or cloth that has been woven using left over yarns, cotton in this case.

The left-hand panel is emblematic of zanshi ori: narrow, irregular horizontal stripes that stop and go in random fits; in this case we can clearly see the knots that were tied to turn the short pieces of coffered yarns into one, long weavable filament. The right hand side, too, shows evidence of using left over yarn as the horizontal striping is slightly irregular, too.

The four patches that stud the surface of this beautifully hand woven cloth add charm and character--and this zanshi ori cloth is one that speaks loud and clear of the life of frugality that was lived in old Japan.

Beautiful.