An Indigo Dyed Cotton Tsutsugaki Fragment: Bat

late nineteenth century
58" x 13 1/4", 147.5 cm x 33.5 cm

This is an indigo dyed tsutsugaki panel that was taken from a larger, stitched piece, a futon cover.

The hand drawn images that decorate this hand spun cotton length are charming and are skillfully rendered: there are several of them and each is something delightful. A book; a fan; Mandarin oranges; a bat.

The bat is particularly nice because the Chinese character which makes up its Japanese name can be read in a different way and if so, the meaning of the second reading of the Chinese character becomes the word for good fortune.

The cloth is thin and slightly faded; the cotton yarns are certainly hand spun.

There is a small tear to the bottom, left of the length, but otherwise the length is in good, used condition.

Super charming.