A Beautifully Mended Bag or Pouch: Katazome Dyed Stripes

late nineteenth, early twentieth century 20 1/2" x 10 1/2", 52 cm x 26.5 cm This wonderful bag is hand stitched from hand spun, hand woven cotton. Its striped pattern is not woven, it is dyed in the katazome method and this kind of striping is said to be one of the most difficult katazome patterns to dye: there is great skill needed to move the stencil up the length of the cloth without any breaks to the parallel lines. What is even more interesting about the bag is the mending. Look carefully and you will see several on front and back, each done in such a way as to try to conceal themselves from view. The mending is a continuation of the dyed striping and in this way it is kind of ingenious. There is wear to the bag as is obvious and the cloth itself is a marvel. A wonderful thing to own, this is subtlety embodied. Recommended.