Vintage & Antique Japanese Fabrics by Piece: Other Type Fabrics

7152: 1960s Japanese Asa(HempFlax) Fabric, 61 in. Arai-Hari

Vintage Japanese Textiles:
1960s Asa (HempFlax) Fabric
Arai-Hari

Width: 14.5 inches / 36.83 cm
Length: 61 inches / 154.94 cm

Catalog# 7152:

US$25.00 per piece

Fabric History/Pedigree: Pieces received from a traditional Japanese kimono cleaner /reconstructor called Arai-Hari -- see an excellent explanation of traditional Arai Hari by textile expert John Marshall, by click-pushing HERE.

Fabric Description: Very lightweight, translucent, and lightly textured fabric is called Asa, flax or hemp-based traditional fabric made in Japan for centuries up until the 1960s; Asa is usually harder than silk or cotton, and has utilitarian purposes such as coverings, screen mesh, work clothing; Asa is stronger and lasts longer than cotton; This particular piece is thinner, lighter and softer than most we see from this period, so it was probably intended for use in making a summer kimono or coat; as a result, this piece has a bit more drape than usual for asa; Background color is black with a checkerboard-like pattern in grays & silver-whites; The black squares are 2 inches square (5.08 cm squared), and the other blocks are 2.75 inches X 3 inches (6.99cm X 7.62cm); The rectangles are rendered with the gray and silver-white pixelated threads, and composed of 4 diamond shapes (please view closeups).

Note on colors: As all devices have differing colorations, please use our text descriptions of colors to complement your sense of the contrast and color of the images of the fabric.

Recommended for making scarf or accessory; also of interest to Japanese textile collectors and designers

Condition: Excellent for its age.