A Zanshi ori Double Kasuri Length: Complex Patterning

early twentieth century
57" x 12 3/4", 145 cm x 32.5 cm

This is a beautiful length of wonderfully colored indigo dyed cotton which shows a complex pattern and two weaving techniques.

The design on this length of cotton is created using a double or warp and weft based kasuri, the pattern being a regular arrangement of double-kasuri squares alternatively arranged in rows, creating a loose "checkerboard" pattern when seen from a distance.  The vertical, warp-directional spacing lines are filled with kasuri dyed cotton.

The weft, however, also uses some left-over kasuri yarns in a random arrangement, thus a kind of zanshi ori or leftover yarn weaving occurs intermittently throughout the length of the cloth.

There are three patches along the length of this hand woven piece of cotton: the cotton yarns seem to be hand spun.

Note, too, the beautifully soft and rich cobalt blue color of the indigo.

A really lovely length of old, hand loomed cotton.