An Undone, Asa Kimono Formed as a Bolt: Stitched Together

early twentieth century
10 yards, 10" x 13 1/4", 9.4 m x 33.5 cm

This is an interesting old textile from Japan.

It is a bolt of hand loomed hemp or ramie cloth that was once sewn up as a kimono, but that has been taken apart and re-assembled as a bolt.

In Japan, good kimono are disassembled before they are cleaned, and, when they are ready to go, they are re-stitched.

It is interesting why this, being an "everyday" kimono, was taken apart as it was, but it makes sense from the standpoint of re-use: were it to be refashioned into, say, a futon cover or zabuton, it is much easier to do so when it is re-formed as a bolt.

It is a good deal of very handsome old asa cloth, and looking at the white threads used for stitching, it is plain to see the component parts of the former kimono.

A marvelous bolt of cloth from old Japan, and one with a fascinating story to tell.