An Oversized Resist Dyed Cotton Textile: Symmetry and Patching

early twentieth century
85" x 37", 216 cm x 94 cm

This lovely, extremely large, overdyed indigo cotton cloth shows four beautifully resist dyed roundels.  The roundels represent noshi, an auspicious symbol which can be represented by folded paper and is often attached to gifts: it carries with it a wish for prosperity.

Inside each of the stylized noshi is the crossed arrow feather; it could be that this resist dyed decoration is a combination of two families crests, although it is not certain.

The cotton cloth seems hand spun and is certainly hand woven.  It was dyed in indigo and then overdyed in a yellow dyestuff in order to achieve this lush, mossy green color.  The mending patches are illustrated on the accompanying photographs.

It is also unclear what the original, intended use was for this cloth, however it seem it may have been some kind of furniture cover.

In any case, it is a beautiful, very large cloth from old Japan which bears a very pleasing design and very good color.

Recommended.