A Length of Blue on White Katazome Cotton: Kasuri Yarns in the Warp

early to mid twentieth century 26" x 13 1/2", 66 cm x 34 cm This length of blue on white cotton cloth is dyed in the katazome method. The blue on white type of katazome is referred to as jishiro. The pattern appears to be a kind of reference to the Chinese bellflower however the flower is filled in with a small scale checkerboard. Autumnal grasses laze about the background. There is a dyed grid that unifies the design and there is a surprise, too. Woven into the white cloth, every now and then, are dark colored kasuri warp yarns, seen on the detail photos that accompany this piece. This is an unusual pattern which is well executed and for that reason there is good reason to collect this length.