Two Pieces of Gauzy Itajime Cotton: Resist Images Using Pressure

early twentieth century
15" x 13", 38 cm x 33 cm
and
45" x 6 1/2", 114 cm x 16.5 cm

Shown here are two fragments of gauzy, lightweight cotton cloth whose pinkish-red color was achieved by using a synthetic dye. 

The pattern dyed onto the pieces is distinctive as it shows a mirror image repeat. 

This type of pattern is imprinted onto the cloth using a complicated process using hand carved boards and pressure. The technique is called kyokechi or itajime and these fragments of cloth is a classic representation of this process.

The pattern is that of popular Japanese motifs: cherry blossoms and children's toy of a decorative ball, the cloth might originally have been used on a child's garment.

A buoyant and happy design which is made more lighthearted by its playful color these are lovely lengths of itajime cotton in used, good, condition.

Please note the square-shaped fragment is slit on one side and the longer fragment is hand stitched of three pieces.