All-in-one A Length Of Indigo Dyed Cotton Katazome: Wood Sorrel, Tortoise, Crane, Noshi Series [0HVKwUMg]

late nineteenth, early twentieth century
37" x 13", 94 cm x 33 cm

This is a length of lightweight, katazome dyed cotton that is blurred and faded.

The blurring comes from the cloth being stenciled on both its sides. The registration of the stenciling is not correct so the image becomes distorted or unclear because of the poor registration.

The repeat pattern is really interesting. It shows cranes and tortoises rendered by dots and in roundels: this pairing of cranes and tortoises is called tsurukame and symbolizes long life. 

Stylized wood sorrel is the third of the fourth design elements in this scheme with noshi, the auspicious dried abalone strips being the fourth.

Rustic, odd and beautiful, this is a wonderful length of old katazome dyed cotton.

The indigo dye has faded to a kind of grey tone as can easily be seen in the photos attached here.