An Overdyed Furoshiki: Yellow over Blue Dye

early twentieth century
42" x 38", 106.5 cm x 96.5 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 green color is vivid and velvety; there is very slight discoloration to the undyed areas, as can be seen in the accompanying photos; the cotton is of a good weight and the furoshiki is hand stitched.  The kamon or crest in the corner is paulownia, and was applied with a stencil: rice paste pushed through the stencil on to the cloth resisted the dye, and is the reason this design stays undyed.

A beautifully colored and collectible furoshiki.

Lovely.