An Over Dyed Indigo Furoshiki: Resist Dyed Wood Sorrel Crest

early twentieth century
42" x 38 1/2", 106.75 cm x 98 cm

This lovely, three panel furoshiki or wrapping cloth is of hand loomed cotton which seems hand spun.  Its green color is the result of it being dyed in indigo and over dyed in yellow, possibly kihada, a yellow obtained from a tree bark or turmeric, which is another traditional yellow dye stuff which was often used in Japan.

The furoshiki seems not to have been used and the two, unfinished "scalloped" edges are the result of a traditional drying process where thin bamboo rods are used to stretch the cloth and keep it flat.

The green color is vivid and velvety; the cotton is of a good weight and the furoshiki is hand stitched.  The kamon or crest in the upper, left corner is stylized wood sorrel and was resisted with a stencil as was the kanji or Chinese characters on the lower right hand corner. 

A beautifully colored and designed furoshiki.

Just lovely.